Hong Kong Protests

On June 9 2019, an estimated 1 million people took to the streets to demonstrate against the extradition bill that would have allowed fugitives to be sent to mainland China, Taiwan and other jurisdictions with which Hong Kong has no exchange arrangement.

Opponents feared it would expose Hong Kongers to unfair trials and violent treatment. They also argued the bill would give China more greater influence over Hong Kong and could be used to target activists and journalists.

What started as peaceful marches against the draft law soon morphed into a broader anti-government movement focused on political reform and police conduct.

Protests often descended into violent clashes between radicals and police that continued throughout 2019 even after the bill was withdrawn in september.

A total of at least 9,550 people were arrested between June 2019 and the end of June 2020.

As a result of those violent protests a National Security Law has been voted and imposed by Beijing, effective on 01 st of July 2020.

The UK believes Beijing's move violates Hong Kong's autonomy and is in direct conflict with the territory's Basic Law, its mini-constitution. The law also threatens the freedoms and rights protected by the joint declaration.