HONG KONG — Hong Kong introduced revised extradition laws before the legislature Wednesday despite concerns they would allow suspects to be sent to face torture and unfair trials in mainland China. ADVERTISEMENTBusiness, legal, human rights and journalists groups have expressed concern over the proposed changes, saying they will damage the territory’s reputation for legal independence. The amendments expand the scope for the transfer of criminal suspects to China and remove the legislature’s right to scrutinize individual extradition decisions filed by Hong Kong’s chief executive. Hong Kong’s Beijing appointed Chief Executive Carrie Lam has said earlier revisions to the proposed amendments were sufficient to allay concerns and has ruled out further changes. Lam’s government argued the revisions were needed to close legal loopholes, while opponents say that is merely an excuse to pursue China’s agenda of reducing Hong Kong’s legal independence.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer April 03, 2019 10:07 UTC