Int'l Journalist Groups Denounce Extradition Bill

Four international journalist associations have issued separate statements, either calling on the SAR government to immediately withdraw the contentious extradition bill, or for lawmakers to reject it.

The International Federation of Journalists, Reporters Without Borders, Committee to Protect Journalists and The Society of Publishers in Asia said while on paper, the bill would exclude political crimes, many fear the mainland would request the surrender of journalists on trumped up charges such as "drug possession" or "accepting bribes" -- offences which are covered by the proposed legislation.

They said this would severely undermine the rule of law in Hong Kong, and threaten press freedom and freedom of expression in the city.

Meanwhile, around 400 current and former local journalists have put their names down for a joint signature campaign, demanding that the government scrap the bill, which they described as a "sword hanging over the head that will muzzle both journalists and whistle-blowers".

The statement was published in the form of a full-page advertisement on the local Ming Pao newspaper.

However, former justice minister Elsie Leung vehemently defended the planned law changes, saying the bill has been “politicised and demonized”.

Speaker on RTHK Radio 1’s “Letter to Hong Kong”, she said the matter isn't that complex, and there has been adequate discussion in society.

Leung, who's also a former vice-chairwoman of the Basic Law Committee, added that it’s beyond reason for people to oppose the changes and let criminals run free - simply because they don't trust the mainland legal system.