Press release

Foreign Secretary statement on Hong Kong declining a journalist's visa

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has commented on the decision by authorities in Hong Kong not to renew a journalist's visa.

From:
Foreign & Commonwealth Office and 皇冠体育app Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP
Published
9 October 2018
This was published under the 2016 to 2019 May Conservative government

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said:

I remain very concerned by the Hong Kong authorities鈥� unprecedented rejection of a visa for senior British journalist Victor Mallet. In the absence of an explanation from the authorities we can only conclude that this move is politically motivated.

This undermines Hong Kong鈥檚 freedom of speech and freedom of the press, both guaranteed by the Joint Declaration, and the Basic Law, and increases the pressure on the 鈥極ne Country, Two Systems鈥� framework.

I urge the Hong Kong authorities to reconsider this decision. Confidence in Hong Kong鈥檚 rights and freedoms is an essential component of its future success.

Note to Editors

  • Freedom of speech is guaranteed in paragraph 3 of the Joint Declaration, and Article 27 of the Hong Kong Basic Law.

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Published 9 October 2018

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