Dissidents Safe From Extradition, Claims Academic

Hong Kong University legal scholar Albert Chen has played down concerns that local courts may be pressured into surrendering political dissidents if the extradition bill is passed.

Chen, who is a Basic Law Committee member, says the government has already included human rights safeguards for politically sensitive cases in the bill.

He also believes Beijing would be careful in its choice of requests: "The central government will probably exercise great restraint in requesting or not requesting rendition in people involved in politically sensitive cases.

"For example, under these provisions, I think that there is little doubt that people involved in the June 4th events in 1989, would receive the protection of these provisions and would not be extradited even if a request is made by the central government."

The pro-Beijing academic has previously called on the government to consider trying residents in local courts for crimes committed across the border, and to include more restrictions and safeguards in the bill.