UK plans to restart extraditions to Hong Kong, sparking fears among activists

The UK government has proposed resuming its extradition policy with Hong Kong on a “case-by-case basis” after suspending it five years ago, triggering fears that activists seeking refuge in Britain could be sent back to the city.

The plan was revealed on Thursday by the United Kingdom’s shadow national security and safeguarding minister Alicia Kearns, who shared on X a letter from security minister Dan Jarvis to shadow home secretary Chris Philp.

In the letter, Jarvis communicated plans to change the country’s 2003 Extradition Act.

The minister said the amendments, which were introduced at the House of Commons on July 17, would remove Hong Kong from the act, so the UK government could work with the city on a “case-by-case, ad hoc basis”.

“The safety and security of our citizens is our top priority,” Jarvis wrote. “Ensuring that territories are correctly designated under the act will ensure that the UK can accept extradition requests in a lawful and timely way to ensure the public is not put at risk.”

The extradition arrangement between the UK and Hong Kong was suspended in 2020 after the Beijing-imposed national security law took effect in the city.