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title: Why is Extradition Law Admendment a big deal?

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Why is Extradition Law Admendment a big deal?
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There will be a protest against the Extradition Law (aka the Fugitive bill) this coming Sunday June 9th / 2:30PM / Victoria Park and if you don't feel fully informed about this event, I would like to do my small part to share the basics.

 

This is a 3 minute read. 

 

# Why is it a big deal?

Right now, Carrie Lam and the pro-establishment parties are forcefully pushing to extend the Law of Extradition TO China, which simply put, means China can take any Hong Kong citizen for trial IN CHINA, simply by a signature from Carrie Lam, without much involvement from Hong Kong’s legal system. ([Overview on NYT](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/03/world/asia/hong-kong-extradition-law-china.html))

 

By changing this law, it would put all Hong Kong residents at risk, those who stand up against China like political activists or journalists, but also those who may displease anyone associated with the Communist party - and this could be anyone in commercial business (Google: [Disappeared Canadians](https://www.hongkongfp.com/2019/03/13/detained-canadians-brace-chinas-disappearances-coming-west/)) or legal professionals. Anyone who tries to stand up for their rights would become at risk after this law is passed. ([More about this on FT](https://www.ft.com/content/2063019c-7619-11e9-be7d-6d846537acab))


What is the Extradition Law?

Hong Kong currently has extradition arrangement with 20 developed countries with a [verified strong legal system](https://www.hongkongfp.com/2019/06/01/hong-kongs-extradition-bill-rule-law-complicated-think/), like the UK and the US. Hong Kong does not have this arrangement with CHINA and justifiably so (according to [Amnesty and Human Rights Watch](https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3003967/threat-torture-and-intimidation-are-just-two-reasons-hong)) because China is known to NOT have a strong court justice system (case in point - google [HK bookseller Lam Wing Kee](https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/1976489/bookseller-lam-wing-kee-reveals-explosive-details-his)). 

 

# What is being done about it?

Countries from around the world including Canada, the US, the UK and the EU are voicing out in serious opposition to this law amendment, and stating the gravity of it. The US [said it may revoke Hong Kong’s special status](https://www.hongkongfp.com/2019/05/08/hong-kongs-china-extradition-plan-violate-key-us-trade-act-provisions-says-washington-committee/). The [HK Barristors Association](https://www.hkba.org/sites/default/files/HKBA%20Observations%20on%20FOMLACM%20Bill%202019%20%28Final%29.pdf) has spoken out, [Judges](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hongkong-politics-extradition-judges/exclusive-hong-kong-judges-see-risks-in-proposed-extradition-changes-idUSKCN1SZ09U) have spoken out. Taiwan has said it would issue tourism warnings if amendment is passed. Numerous local schools and churches with over 800K signatures collected in online petitions have voiced their opposition but NONE OF THIS is swaying Carrie Lam. She has refused public debates and has repeatedly stated that it will be impossible for her to take back this amendment, even after all the above. 

 

# What we need to do now

On April 28th there was the first protest with 130K people on the streets but Carrie Lam has dismissed it as an insignificant group of people who don’t understand the bill. This time, this Sunday June 9th / 2:30PM / Victoria Park, we must all come out to the streets and be even louder with our presence. 

 

This Foreign Policy article states - ['The End of Hong Kong is Almost Here'](https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/05/16/the-end-of-hong-kong-is-almost-here/) and it is chilling how close it is. I urge you to share this email with your circle of friends. Whether you are local or expat or immigrant or traveler, this is a huge irreversible blow to human rights in this city and we need every single person to come out to oppose this amendment. This isn’t politics anymore, this is infringing into the basic human rights and security of Hong Kong people, if there is any time to step up, it is now. 

  

Mark the date - 

**Sunday June 9th

2:30PM 

Victoria Park **

