Thousands of people took to the streets to protest proposed legislation that would allow the Chinese government to extradite individuals in Hong Kong to stand trial on the mainland.
If passed, the changes would be a significant departure from the autonomy and freedom currently granted to Hong Kong by the government of mainland China, which were secured when the British handed Hong Kong over to China in 1997.
It is estimated that over 100,000 people took part in the march through the city and to the Hong Kong parliament building.
Extradition cases in Thailand typically–but not always–involves individuals who have committed a serious crime that is punishable by one year of prison or more.
“Hong Kong people and visitors passing by Hong Kong will lose their right not to be extradited into mainland China,” said longtime activist Leung Kwok-hung. “They would need to face an unjust legal system on the mainland.”
Other marchers echoed Kwok-hung’s sentiments stating that the proposed amendments to Hong Kong extradition rules would erode its sovereignty as well as put individuals at risk to human rights violations and unfair trials in mainland China.
If the proposed changes are codified, Hong Kong would have the ability to order the extradition of individuals to China, Macau, Taiwan, and other countries that do not currently have an extradition treaty with Hong Kong.
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