Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 July 2020
199. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider reviewing the extradition agreement with Hong Kong in view of the control that Chinese authorities are now exerting on the territory and in the context of increasing human rights abuses by Chinese authorities. [17805/20]
View answerThe Deputy refers to the Ireland - Hong Kong Agreement on the surrender of fugitive offenders which entered into force in January 2009.
In light of the recent adoption of the Hong Kong National Security Law, I understand that my colleague the Minister for Foreign Affairs is considering the issues involved and our engagement with Hong Kong, including having regard to discussions on these issues at the EU level.
More generally, the Deputy may be interested to note that no person has to date been returned to Hong Kong under the terms of the Agreement.
It may further be noted that the agreement includes a number of grounds on which a request may be refused in an individual case.
