US Congressmen Add Voices To Fugitives Debate

A bipartisan, bicameral group of eight members of the US Congress has sent a letter dated Thursday, May 23, to Chief Executive Carrie Lam opposing proposed amendments to Hong Kong’s extradition laws.

They wrote: “We believe the proposed legislation would irreparably damage Hong Kong’s cherished autonomy and protections for human rights by allowing the Chinese government to request extradition of business persons, journalists, rights advocates, and political activists residing in Hong Kong.”

The signatories are:

• Massachusetts Congressman Jim McGovern

• Florida Senator Marco Rubio

• New Jersey Congressman Chris Smith

• Montana Senator Steve Daines

• New York Congressman Thomas Suozzi

• Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton

• Florida Congressman Brian Mast

• Utah Congressman Ben McAdams

Earlier, the European Union Office in Hong Kong said it had handed a formal diplomatic protest note to Chief Executive Carrie Lam over the SAR's proposed extradition law changes.

The EU Office in Hong Kong and Macau said in a brief statement in response to press enquiries that it had, together with diplomatic representatives from its member states, met Lam to “carry out a demarche reiterating their concerns regarding the government’s proposed amendments to Hong Kong’s Fugitive Offenders Ordinance”.