Carrie Lam Unfazed By Extradition Law Protest

The Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, said on Monday that the government will not drop its plan to amend extradition laws despite thousands of people protesting against the move.

Some 12,000 people were estimated to have taken to the streets on Sunday, warning that the law changes to allow one-off extradition deals could see Hongkongers surrendered to the mainland for political reasons.

But speaking to reporters after attending a financial symposium, the Chief Executive said the protesters' concerns are a far cry from the plan's real purpose.

Lam said the bill isn't tailor-made for the mainland, and it clearly stipulates that there will be equal treatment for all jurisdictions that Hong Kong doesn’t have a formal extradition treaty with.

She again stressed that there will be a range of human rights and procedural safeguards in the system.

The CE added that the government will stick to its plan to table the bill to Legco on Wednesday.

She reiterated that the changes to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance are aimed at plugging a loophole exposed by the murder of a Hong Kong woman in Taiwan last February.

The suspect is currently being held in Hong Kong pending trial over theft and money laundering charges in connection with the case and under present law, he cannot be sent back to Taiwan to face the murder accusation.

Lam said if the bill isn't passed quickly, the murder suspect may be freed and justice may never be served.