Response from Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Thank you for reaching out to our Minister on this important matter. Please be assured that the developments in Hong Kong have our full attention.

Ever since the amendments to the extradition legislation were first proposed several months ago, our Consulate-General in Hong Kong has been monitoring the process in close cooperation with the EU Delegation. The Netherlands shares the EU’s concerns on the potentially far-reaching consequences of the proposed amendments for Hong Kong and its people, for EU and foreign citizens, as well as for business confidence in Hong Kong. The EU Representative in Hong Kong, accompanied by representatives from several Member States including the Consul-General of the Netherlands, conveyed these concerns in person to Chief Executive Carrie Lam late last month. Early this month, the EU, also on behalf of the Member States, reiterated these concerns in writing to the Hong Kong Government.

When the demonstrations in Hong Kong ended in violence on 12 June, the spokesperson of the European External Action Service (EEAS) issued a statement that, also at the request of the Netherlands, called for an end to the violence and for an inclusive public consultation that takes into account the concerns of the Hong Kong citizens.

If amendments to Hong Kong’s extradition legislation are to be adopted, the Netherlands will consider whether this should prompt re-evaluation of the current extradition arrangement with Hong Kong.

I am aware that you have also reached out to the Consulate-General in Hong Kong, so I have cc’d our Deputy Consul-General, Mr. Rogier Hekking.

Best regards,

Remy Cristini

Senior Policy Officer

China Team