2020 年《香港國安法》實施後，英國政府暫停與香港逃犯移交協定，上月有報道指英國擬修訂《引渡法》、恢復引渡安排，英內政部其後澄清移交協定繼續暫停。《集誌社》上月就修例情況向內政部國務大臣翟偉紳查詢，日前獲回覆，翟偉紳表示，修例並非恢復引渡合作，而是徹底切斷與香港的引渡關係。
翟偉紳強調，現政府絕不容許任何人基於政治動機、或以打壓民主或言論自由的方式，從英國引渡到香港或其他地方，又指英國法庭在《引渡法》下有強大穩健的權力，拒絕任何不符人權或具政治動機的引渡請求。翟偉紳表示，在英港人的安全至為重要，英政府會一直捍衛港人權利。
英國政府上月 17 日提交修訂《2003 年引渡法》，擬將香港從法例的第二部區域、即與英國有正式引渡協議的司法管轄區名單剔除，並按《引渡法》第 194 條以逐宗案件（case by case）形式處理。根據第 194 條「特別引渡安排」，在沒有引渡協議的地區，需逐宗案件提出申請，國務大臣會先決定是否處理相關申請，如確認處理再經法庭審批，滿意就所涉罪行有表面證據、且引渡不會侵犯人權才能批准；如引渡被認為是懲罰該人的政見等，法庭可以阻止。
修例引來英國保守黨議員 Alicia Kearns 質疑，英國政府計劃重啟與香港的逃犯移交合作，人權組織「香港監察」亦批評非常危險和魯莽。翟偉紳（Dan Jarvis）當時透過內政部回覆傳媒查詢，有關英國恢復對港移交逃犯安排的說法是「完全錯誤」，強調與香港的逃犯移交協定「繼續暫停」，修例只是「完成對英國與香港移交逃犯機制的切割」，英政府堅定不移維護所有在英人士包括港人的人權、法治和安全。
《集誌社》上月向英國內政部國務大臣翟偉紳查詢，英國政府提《引渡法》修例是否意圖恢復與香港的引渡合作、修例對現行引渡程序的影響、以及對人權的保障。
翟偉紳日前回覆，英文原文及中譯如下：
感謝你於 7 月 25 日有關《2003年引渡法》擬議修正案及其對英國與香港引渡關係的影響的來信。這是一個極為重要的議題，但近期有大量不實報道，因此我很高興夠致函澄清事實，為香港民眾提供澄清和保證。我想向您保證，本屆政府堅定地與已移居英國的香港社群站在一起，並將繼續支持他們。我們為捍衛香港人民的權利而自豪。
你詢問本屆政府是否有意透過此項立法或日後的措施，恢復與香港的引渡合作。答案是不會。該項立法並非恢復引渡合作；相反，它透過將香港從《引渡法》的指定司法管轄區名單中移除，正式確立自 1997 年訂立的「英國 – 香港引渡條約」被中止。
你亦問及，該修訂對現行引渡程序的影響。我很高興能確認，此次修訂不會改變現行的引渡程序，因它只是使 2020 年宣布中止的條約，在英國本地法律具法律效力，透過徹底切斷與香港的引渡關係，加強英國在引渡合作方面的立場。這項修訂不會影響引渡制度中任何保障措施。
至於你問及是否有人權保障，確保流亡海外或遭受政治迫害的港人不被引渡，容我向你保證，，本屆政府絕不容許任何人基於政治動機、或以打壓民主或言論自由的方式，從英國引渡到香港或其他地方。英國法庭在《引渡法》下有穩健強大的權力，拒絕任何不符人權或具政治動機的引渡請求。若英國法官認定某一引渡請求屬於上述情況，便有權駁回，此項修訂不會改變這一點。
保障在英港人的安全至關重要，我們將一直捍衛港人權利。我希望上述說明能讓人放心，英國的引渡制度仍然強大、公平，並致力維護個人權利。再次感謝你對此議題的參與。
英文回覆全文：
Thank you for your email of 25 July regarding the proposed amendment to the Extradition Act 2003 and its implications for the UK’s extradition relationship with Hong Kong. This is an extremely important matter where there has been a significant amount of inaccurate reporting, so I am pleased to be able to write to provide clarity and reassurance to Hong Kongers. I want to assure you that this Government stands resolutely with members of the Hong Kong community who have relocated to the UK and will continue to support them. We are proud to stand up for the rights of the people of Hong Kong.
You asked whether this Government intends to reintroduce extradition cooperation withHong Kong, either through this legislation or in the future. The answer is no. To this end, the legislation does not reinstate extradition cooperation; rather, it formalises the suspension of the 1997 UK–Hong Kong Extradition Treaty by removing Hong Kong’s designation under the Extradition Act.
You also asked about the effect of the proposed amendment on the extradition process. I am pleased to be able to confirm that this amendment will not change the existing extradition process as it only gives legal effect in UK domestic law to the treaty suspension announced in 2020, strengthening the UK’s position on extradition cooperation by conclusively severing extradition ties with Hong Kong. It does not impact any of the safeguards in the extradition system.
On your question whether there are human rights protections in place to ensure that Hong Kongers in exile or facing political persecution would not be extradited. Let me assure you that this Government will never permit the extradition of individuals from the UK for politically motivated purposes or in ways that suppress democracy or free speech to Hong Kong or elsewhere. UK courts have robust powers under the Extradition Act to refuse any request that is incompatible with a person’s human rights or is politically motivated. If a UK judge determines that an extradition request falls into either of these categories, they have the authority to block it. This legislation does not change this.
The safety and security of Hong Kongers in the UK is of the utmost importance and we will always stand up for the rights of the people of Hong Kong. I hope this offers reassurance that the UK’s extradition framework remains strong, equitable, and committed to upholding individual rights.
Thank you again for your engagement on this important issue.
