Germany suspends extradition treaty with Hong Kong citing election delay – minister

Germany said Friday it was suspending its extradition treaty with Hong Kong over the former British colony’s decision to push back local elections by a year.

“The Hong Kong government’s decision to disqualify a dozen opposition candidates for the election and to postpone the elections … is a further encroachment on the rights of Hong Kong citizens,” Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in a statement.

Wir erwarten, dass #China die im Basic Law garantierten Freiheiten und Rechte gewährleistet. Dazu gehört auch das Recht auf freie und faire Wahlen. Deshalb haben wir entschieden, das #Auslieferungsabkommen mit #Hongkong zu suspendieren. – Außenminister @HeikoMaas pic.twitter.com/VS7Jivh8zM

— Auswärtiges Amt (@AuswaertigesAmt) July 31, 2020

See also: Hong Kong postpones legislative election for a year citing Covid-19

“Given the current developments, we have decided to suspend the extradition treaty with Hong Kong.”

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