As China imposes its own legislature over Hongkong, 5 major countries discontinued their extradition treaties with the latter

Devesh Arora.

Extradition treaty is a cooperative law enforcement process between two jurisdictions. In this, two jurisdictions agree to enter into a an agreement where one jurisdiction delivers a person accused of any crime to the other jurisdiction, to their law enforcement. It usually exists amongst nations with cooperative and well disposed ties.

Recently, China imposed its legislature over Hong-Kong even after mass protests from the citizens of the state. This led to a strengthened Chinese control over the territory and thus, souring their relations with Australia, New Zealand, Britain, Canada etc. who all are in adversary with red-flag bearing communist state-China.

In the last week of July 2020, 5 nations- Britain, Canada, Germany, New Zealand and Australia discontinued their Extradition Treaty with Hong Kong. All these countries find it hard to believe that Hong Kong’s judicial system is much independent and different from that of Chinese.

In response to this action China has decided to discontinue its Extradition treaty with the above mentioned nations. The wrong action of Canada, Australia and the UK in politicising judicial cooperation with Hong Kong has seriously hurt the basis of judicial cooperation,” Hong Kong Free Press quoted Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin at a regular press briefing.

“China has decided to suspend extradition treaties between Hong Kong and Canada, Australia and the UK, as well as criminal justice cooperation agreements,” he added.

Such dismissal arise as a conclusion to unhealthy relations between countries. Resultantly, the criminals with nationality of one nation who is caught in crime at other suffers due to the lack of this treaty and is unable to return the homeland.

A more concerted and harmonious relations pave way for better policies and peace which seems to lag behind in case of these countries.