Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee recently sidestepped questions regarding whether the city government asked Singapore to extradite wanted activist Nathan Law before his entry denial into Singapore. At a press conference, Lee emphasized that no country should provide refuge to criminals, indicating Hong Kong’s commitment to enforcing its laws. Law is considered wanted under national security charges and has been in self-exile since 2020.
Upon his arrival in Singapore from San Francisco, Law was detained for four hours and subsequently denied entry. Singaporean authorities, citing national interest, did not elaborate on their decision. Law holds a UK refugee passport and is sought by Hong Kong’s national security police for alleged offenses that threaten national security.
Singapore, which maintains an extradition treaty with Hong Kong, might have chosen a middle-ground approach. Barrister and government adviser Ronny Tong suggests that political prosecutions are often excluded from extradition agreements, referencing the UN’s Model Treaty on Extradition. He believes Singapore’s decision reflects an effort to navigate diplomatic sensitivities, avoiding conflict with major powers such as the US and the UK, while not alienating China and Hong Kong.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has defended Singapore’s immigration decision, labeling Nathan Law as an “anti-China destabilizer” wanted by Hong Kong authorities. The ministry stressed that each nation is entitled to manage its immigration policies independently. As this situation unfolds, it underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding extradition policies and international diplomacy.