Hong Kong slams ‘false and biased' G7 criticism of latest bounties on activists
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A government spokesman said on Saturday that those 'fugitives hiding abroad are wanted and have arrest warrants issued by the courts, not because they 'exercise freedom of expression', but because they continue to engage in activities endangering national security there blatantly'.
The G7 on Friday condemned the
new HK$200,000 (US$25,640) bounties placed by city authorities on 15 overseas activists for their involvement in the 'Hong Kong Parliament' group, which police deem subversive and accuse of violating the Beijing-imposed security law.
The G7 calls Hong Kong's move to place fresh bounties on overseas activists a 'form of transnational repression'.
The G7 statement was issued by its Rapid Response Mechanism unit, set up in 2018 to fight threats to democracy, such as foreign interference. In addition to members of the Group of Seven – Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States – the European Union and RRM associate members Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands and Sweden endorsed the message.
'The authorities issued arrest warrants and bounties on individuals outside Hong Kong's borders, including in G7 RRM countries, for exercising their freedom of expression,' the unit said.
'This form of transnational repression undermines national security, state sovereignty, human rights, and the safety of communities.'
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The Hong Kong government said fugitives should not believe they could escape consequences by fleeing the city, stressing that it had the responsibility to pursue those suspected of committing crimes endangering national security outside of Hong Kong.
'Ultimately, they will be held accountable for their serious criminal acts that endanger national security and face legal sanctions,' the spokesman said.
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