Thread by @PM_Thornton

"The end of OCTS. Beijing...has completely breached its promise to the #HongKong people, a promise that was enshrined in the Sino-British declaration." As UK FM, @BorisJohnson insisted that the Sino-British was "absolutely valid and operative" as of last year. What now, UK? #香港

https://twitter.com/richardjpyne/status/1263486876800827394

Labour MP Geraint Davies in 2019: “Britain has a special responsibility by virtue of its legal & moral obligations to the people of #HongKong, with whom we share a deep and rich history...

"Article 3.5 of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, a legally binding document at the UN, states that the UK must defend freedom of the press, freedom of expression & freedom of Assembly in #HongKong." #香港

#HongKong Watch: Unilateral Introduction of National Security Legislation Shows ‘Total Disregard’ for Hong Kong Autonomy and Fundamental Rights. #香港 hongkongwatch.org/all-posts/2020…

“The Sino-British Joint Declaration states that the HK govt is to be granted a “high degree of autonomy” on all matters aside from defence and diplomacy. The HK Basic Law states that nat'l security legislation of this type will be enacted by the #HongKong govt 'on its own'. #香港

HK Watch head Patterson: “The implications of this legislation are potentially profound. Will NGOs and charities like Amnesty International & #HongKong Watch become illegal? Will Chris Patten and foreign journalists speaking at the FCC become a crime?..." #香港

“Will the political opposition be accused of subversion? A broad-brush interpretation of this law would signal **the end of #HongKong as we know it.**” #香港

Beijing's "decision shows a total disregard for the spirit and the terms of the original treaty. Any internat'l govt that claims to stand for freedom, democracy, & the rule of law, cannot allow such a flagrant breach of this internat‘l treaty to stand.” #StandWithHongKong #香港