The recent geopolitical landscape has been stirred by an announcement from China where it suspended Hong Kong’s extradition treaties and criminal justice cooperation agreements with Australia, Britain, and Canada. This move potentially sets a ripple effect with the other two members of the Five Eyes (FVEY) alliance, New Zealand and the USA, also contemplating similar steps.
Understanding Extradition
Extradition signifies the formal procedure wherein one state hands over an individual to another for legal action or punishment related to crimes committed under the latter’s jurisdiction. Such arrangements usually stem from bilateral or multilateral treaties. In India, for instance, the Extradition Act of 1962 forms the legislative groundwork for such extraditions.
The Current Scenario: A Look at the Background
China’s suspension of the treaties is largely viewed as a response to the initial suspension undertaken by the three countries. The new security law that China imposed on Hong Kong sparked off this sequence of events. These Western nations perceive this law as a significant downgrade of civil liberties and human rights Hong Kong had been privy to since Britain handed it back in 1997.
Moves Against China: Other Significant Developments
The promulgation of the new law has led to both UK’s London and Australia’s Canberra extending citizenship or residency avenues for Hong Kong residents desiring to relocate. This decision too, didn’t sit well with China. Also, the European Union (EU) decided to curtail exports of potentially repressive surveillance equipment to Hong Kong. This resolution was, however, not unanimous due to trade volume considerations among EU member states and China,
France and Germany spearheaded discussions around limitations on ‘dual-use’ technology, referring to goods typically used for civilian purposes but potentially open to military applications. Nuclear power technologies and radio navigation systems serve as prime examples. Alongside, the EU also plans to ease Hong Kong population’s travel to Europe through various avenues like visas, academic exchanges, and scholarships.
China’s Perspective
China retaliates against these actions by accusing the concerned countries of meddling in its domestic affairs. China defends its new security law as a necessary measure to re-establish order in Hong Kong. According to the Chinese authorities, the three countries deviated onto a wrong path by making their judicial cooperation with Hong Kong political. This move supposedly jeopardized the foundation of judicial cooperation. Additionally, they argue that these countries are using the national security law as a pretext to unilaterally suspend extradition treaties.