The United Kingdom will be suspending its extradition treaty with Hong Kong.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab announced the change in Parliament on Monday, asserting that the imposition of China’s new “national security” law for the city was the reason behind the move.
“The imposition of this new national security legislation has significantly changed key assumptions underpinning our extradition treaty arrangements with Hong Kong,” Raab said.
As part of the new measures, the U.K. will also expand its arms embargo on China to include Hong Kong.
Extradition treaties allow for someone who commits a crime in one country but flees to another to be sent back to the original country for prosecution. Under China’s new law, many who are extradited to Hong Kong could be sent to China or prosecuted for “crimes” that would be considered basic human rights in the U.K.
The law criminalizes acts of subversion, secession, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces. Because it is written so broadly and vaguely, it has been used to target simple acts of opposition to the Chinese government.
As the law is further implemented, a clearer picture of the Chinese government’s intent for the law has begun to emerge. Last week, China’s top representative in Hong Kong called a pro-democracy primary “nakedly illegal behavior.” Others have been arrested for waving a Hong Kong independence flag.
