Pro-democracy activist Nathan Law, who is now based in London, because of the threat from China’s new security law, tweeted: “It’s time for the UK Government to take actions after US government sanctioned 11 Hong Kong officials. At least, get the infamous Carrie Lam banned and her asset frozen. We should be united and defend democracy together.
“Hold China accountable!”
On Friday US treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin said the sanctions were used to target those undermining Hong Kong’s autonomy.
He added: “The United States stands with the people of Hong Kong.”
Washington made the move after Beijing imposed a controversial national security law on Hong Kong.
The new security law could be used to silence anyone who disagrees with the Chinese Communist Party and promotes democracy not only in Hong Kong, but anywhere in the world.
The new law could also now make it a criminal offence for witnesses to human rights abuse in Hong Kong to give evidence even in the UK.
One Hong Kong doctor, speaking to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Hong Kong said: “In the future they will come crashing through my door, arrest me and I will just disappear.”
During the height of the pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong in 2019, the city’s police force was accused of not only violently targetting demonstrators but also targetting medical workers who were attempting to see to the welfare of all the citizens caught up in the turmoil.
Speaking of the abuse of political freedoms and of the abuse of medical workers in Hong Kong the chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Hong Kong, Baroness Bennett said: “It is indisputable that the Hong Kong Police Force has breached the Sino-British Joint Declaration, international human rights laws, and international humanitarian laws.
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“We have to execute our historical and moral duty to the people of Hong Kong.”
Hong Kong surgeon Doctor Darren Mann who was a witness to human rights abuses in Hong Kong said: “For those of you who have witnessed what has happened over the past year, what has happened is beyond belief.
“Hong Kong police no longer need reasonable grounds to arrest and apprehend individuals and more importantly, they see themselves as above the normal international laws.
“Unlawfully, they arrest humanitarian and medical workers.
“Since the national security law has been implemented. To provide medical treatment to protesters would now be considered subversion and illegal.
“To provide shelter to protesters would be considered aiding terrorism.
“Let us consider the future.
“We need monitoring mechanisms to protect Hongkongers.”