It’s time to end extradition to all human rights abusers

When Dominic Raab stood at the despatch box in the House of Commons this week and announced that the Government had suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong ‘immediately and indefinitely’, he was met with audible support in the Chamber. The decision was brought up again the following day at a press conference with US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, who gave Raab his full backing on the matter, citing ‘serious concerns’ over Hong Kong’s status. They were right to be impressed. This indefinite suspension of the extradition treaty is a remarkable political gesture that sidesteps traditional diplomatic conventions.

While many regimes deny the importance of extradition, Dominic Raab has shown that it can be effectively used to deal with the most serious of human rights abuses. Although at present there are almost no extraditions between the UK and Hong Kong, meaning that the change will barely be noticed, this firm stance is a welcome change that sends a serious message to China.