Australia joins US and Britain in condemning Hong Kong pro-democracy arrests

The foreign ministers have combined to call on Chinese authorities to respct the legally guaranteed rights of Hong Kongers.

Many of these pro-democracy activisits, pictured last year, were among the 53 arrested in Hong Kong on Wednesday. Source: AAP

Foreign ministers from Australia, the United States, Canada and Britain have condemned last week’s arrest of over 50 democracy activists in Hong Kong in a joint statement, calling on China to respect the freedom of the people on the island.

Hong Kong police made the arrests on Wednesday in dawn raids, the biggest crackdown since China imposed a security law in 2020, which opponents say is aimed at quashing dissent in the former British colony.

Pro-democratic party members respond to mass arrests during a press conference in Hong Kong. Source: AP

“It is clear that the National Security Law is being used to eliminate dissent and opposing political views,” the foreign ministers said in the joint statement issued by Australia's Foreign Minister Marise Payne.

“We call on the Hong Kong and Chinese central authorities to respect the legally guaranteed rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong without fear of arrest and detention.”

Hong Kong’s most prominent pro-democracy advocates were arrested as authorities said last year’s unofficial vote to choose opposition candidates in city elections was part of a plan to “overthrow” the government.

On Thursday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Washington may sanction those involved in the arrests and will send the US ambassador to the United Nations to visit Taiwan.