Written question asked by Lord Goodlad (Conservative) on Thursday, 25 October 2018, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 8 November 2018. It was answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative) on Tuesday, 6 November 2018 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Victor Mallet

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what response they have received from the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to their representations about the denial of a visa to the British journalist, Victor Mallet.

Answer: We remain very concerned by the Hong Kong authorities’ unprecedented rejection of a visa for senior British journalist Victor Mallet. In the absence of an explanation from the authorities we can only conclude that this move is politically motivated. This undermines Hong Kong’s freedom of speech and freedom of the press, both guaranteed by the Joint Declaration, and the Basic Law, and increases the pressure on the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ framework. We urge the Hong Kong authorities to reconsider this decision. Confidence in Hong Kong’s rights and freedoms is an essential component of its future success.” We have sought an explanation for the visa refusal from the Hong Kong authorities, but we have not received one.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: HL11026
Session: 2017-19
Subjects: British nationals abroad Hong Kong Journalism Press freedom Visas Mallet, Victor
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk