Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson Layla Moran has today challenged Ministers to “stop stalling” and act to hold China to account for putting democracy in Hong Kong in “mortal peril”.
In an Urgent Question in the House of Commons, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson Layla Moran, who is also a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, called on the Government to commit to “decisive action”.
Despite the Chinese Government making what Ms Moran described as a “mockery of the Joint Declaration”, the Foreign Office Minister Nigel Adams merely confirmed that Magnitsky sanctions were still “under consideration.”
The Party is calling on the Government to work with international allies to take legal action against China’s latest breach of the Joint Declaration, as well as calling for a lifeboat system to allow Hong Kongers to escape persecution.
The exchange in the House of Commons comes as nearly all pro-democracy lawmakers in Hong Kong have resigned in protest after China dismissed four pro-democracy opposition lawmakers as threats to national security.
Following the Urgent Question, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson Layla Moran said: “Time and again the Chinese Government has shown its utter disdain for the Joint Declaration. The Government must stop stalling and deliver a robust response.
“Now is the time for the UK Government to be working with our international partners in the EU and the USA, including President Elect Biden, to pursue legal routes to challenge China’s overreach. Sanctions must have have real weight and for Magnitsky sanctions to be merely “under consideration” is just not good enough. We need actions not just words.
“Liberal Democrats have for months called on the UK Government to implement Magnitsky sanctions, widen routes to UK citizenship to all Hong Kongers, and roll out a lifeboat system to ensure those facing persecution can seek refuge. The time for action is now.”