The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government has strongly opposed and disapproved of slanderous remarks by the European Union on the city’s lawful move to pursue persons who have endangered national security and absconded from Hong Kong.

“The HKSAR government strongly demands that the EU immediately stop acting against international law and basic norms of international relations and interfering in Hong Kong matters, which are purely China's internal affairs,” a government spokesman said in a statement on Friday.

The statement came days after police had accused 19 people of allegedly organizing, establishing, or participating in an overseas subversive group called “The Hong Kong Parliament”, suspected of violating the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL).

Pointing out that endangering national security is a very serious offense, the spokesman said no country will watch with folded arms on acts and activities that endanger national security.

According to the government, the so-called “Hong Kong Parliament” is an organization that aims to subvert state power.

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The organization aim to promote “self-determination” and promulgate the so-called “Hong Kong Constitution”; and overthrow or undermine the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) basic system established by the PRC Constitution or overthrow the PRC’s body of central power or the HKSAR’s body of power with unlawful means, it said, noting that the organization is suspected of committing the offence of subversion contrary to Article 22 of the HKNSL.

Police applied to the court for arrest warrants in accordance with the law and placed the persons on a wanted list, it added.

“Any suggestion that certain individuals or organizations should be immune from legal consequences for their illegal acts, including those involving collusion with foreign or external forces, is no different from advocating a special privilege to break the law, and this totally runs contrary to the spirit of the rule of law.”

Extraterritorial effect for offences under the HKNSL and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) fully aligns with the principles of international law, international practice and common practice adopted in various countries and regions, the government said, adding that it is both necessary and legitimate, and is also in line with those of other countries and regions around the world.

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As the Hong Kong SAR’s law enforcement department safeguards national security, police are duty-bound to pursue the liability of those who have allegedly endangered national security outside Hong Kong.

“Those absconders hiding outside Hong Kong are wanted because they continue to blatantly engage in activities endangering national security. Moreover, they continue to collude with external forces to cover for their evil deeds,” reads the statement.

It is necessary for police to take all lawful measures to strongly combat the acts of abscondment, and such actions are fully justified, necessary and legitimate, it said.

Pointing out that both the HKNSL and the SNSO clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security in the city, the spokesman said the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applicable to the HKSAR are protected in accordance with the law.

Regarding an extremely small minority of organizations and individuals endangering national security, the SAR government said that it will not condone their criminal acts and will not give up pursuing them, including adopting all practical measures to bring those fugitives endangering national security who have absconded from the city to justice.

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"Absconders should not think they can evade criminal liability by absconding from Hong Kong. Ultimately, they will be held liable for their acts constituting serious offences endangering national security and be punished by the law,” the government warned, adding that no country or organization should harbor criminals nor try to exonerate these people with different excuses.

The HKSAR government will resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the HKNSL, the SNSO and other relevant laws safeguarding national security in the city, to prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security while upholding the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people to ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of the principle of “one country, two systems”, the spokesman added.