Global outrage erupts over China's ‘draconian‘ security law for Hong Kong - The Guardian

Top lawyers and politicians from 23 countries express grave concerns over ‘assault’ on city’s rights and freedoms.

Senior foreign policy lawmakers and senior politicians from 23 countries, among them the former Hong Kong governor, Chris Patten, have warned that a new Chinese security law for the city is a “comprehensive assault” on its rights and freedoms and “cannot be tolerated”.

“The statement shows growing and widespread international outrage at the decision by the Chinese government to unilaterally impose national security legislation in Hong Kong,” Patten said.

At the time, Hong Kong was guaranteed 50 years of autonomy, with all civil rights and freedoms preserved for that time.

“This is the most serious threat to the people of Hong Kong that there has been from the Chinese government since 1997,” said Malcolm Rifkind, the former UK foreign secretary and one of the statement’s signatories.