Ireland Suspends Extradition Agreement With HK

Ireland's Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney says Dublin has decided to suspend its extradition agreement with Hong Kong, over concerns about the SAR’s national security law.

Coveney told the Irish parliament this week that the government made the decision on October 13, after a review of the implications of the legislation.

He said the security law was adopted without any meaningful consultation, with either Legco or civil society, and it risks undermining the high degree of autonomy promised to Hong Kong.

"This decision, which was taken in concert with a number of other EU Member States, clearly signals Ireland's concerns in relation to the rule of law in Hong Kong and the erosion of judicial independence promised under the One Country, Two Systems principle," Coveney said.

He said Irish officials will "remain alert to the situation" in Hong Kong and will continue to raise their concerns with the Chinese authorities.

The extradition deal between Hong Kong and Ireland came into force in 2009.

The United States, Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Germany, France and Finland have also terminated their extradition agreements with the SAR in light of the national security law.