A new advocacy organisation focused on Hong Kong will be launched at a reception hosted in Speaker’s House, House of Commons in the UK Parliament on Monday, 11 December 2017.
The new organization, Hong Kong Watch, will be a London-based human rights organisation which will monitor human rights, freedoms and rule of law in Hong Kong. Hong Kong Watch has the support of eminent patrons from across the party-political spectrum in the United Kingdom including Sir Malcolm Rifkind QC, Catherine West MP, Lord Paddy Ashdown, Lord David Alton, and Sir Geoffrey Nice QC.
Benedict Rogers, Chairman of Trustees at Hong Kong Watch, is the opening speaker at the event. His remarks will be followed by short reflections from the five patrons of Hong Kong Watch.
Although not a patron of Hong Kong Watch and unable to attend the event, Lord Patten, the last governor of Hong Kong today delivered a message in support of Hong Kong Watch, saying:
"I am sorry that I can't be with you for the launch reception of Hong Kong Watch. I am particularly glad you are taking this kind of initiative. I am delighted to hear that so many friends of Hong Kong wish to support the efforts made there. They draw sympathy from all around the world. I hope they will make certain that Hong Kong remains a free and open city. Hong Kong was of course guaranteed local autonomy and the continuation of its way of life in the Joint Declaration under the International Treaty between Britain and China which lasts until 2047. It is important that China holds to its obligations under the Joint Declaration. Not only is this important for Hong Kong itself, but it will also be taken as a sign by many countries around the world about how much they can trust China to keep its word as the next few years unfold. It is not external interference if friends or supporters of Hong Kong take a fair, informed and balanced view of the community's development. It is simply a mark of continuing friendship for a great city."
Lord Ashdown, the former leader of the Liberal Democrats and a patron of Hong Kong Watch, who recently returned from a fact-finding trip to Hong Kong echoed his sentiments, saying,
“As China’s power in the world grows, its responsibilities increase, and China has a responsibility to live up to its promises and obligations to Hong Kong. In recent years there are worrying signs that ‘one country, two systems’ and Hong Kong’s basic freedoms are being eroded. Britain has a responsibility to Hong Kong too, to monitor and speak out for Hong Kong’s way of life. The Sino-British Joint Declaration is precisely that – a joint declaration signed by both countries and lodged at the United Nations. Hong Kong Watch is being established to monitor, research and advocate in defence of Hong Kong’s freedoms, autonomy and rule of law and to urge both China and Britain to fulfil its obligations under the Joint Declaration, and that is why I am delighted to be a Patron of Hong Kong Watch.”