Why extradition is bad

So people wanted for crimes in those territories could potentially be sent there to face trial. The requests would be decided on a case-by-case basis by the chief executive.

Several commercial offences, such as tax evasion, were removed from the list of extraditable offences amid concerns from the business community. Hong Kong officials always said Hong Kong courts would have the final say whether to grant such extradition requests, and suspects accused of political and religious crimes would not be extradited.

The government sought to reassure the public with some concessions, including promising to only hand over fugitives for offences carrying maximum sentences of at least seven years. The proposal came after a year-old Hong Kong man allegedly murdered his year-old pregnant girlfriend while holidaying in Taiwan together in February The man fled Taiwan and returned to Hong Kong last year.

Taiwanese officials sought help from Hong Kong authorities to extradite the man, but Hong Kong officials said they could not comply because of a lack of extradition agreement with Taiwan. But the Taiwanese government has said it would not seek to extradite the murder suspect under the proposed changes, and urged Hong Kong to handle the case separately.

Critics said people would be subject to arbitrary detention, unfair trial and torture under China's judicial system. Lam Wing Kee, a Hong Kong bookseller, said he was abducted, detained and charged with "operating a bookstore illegally" in China in for selling books critical of Chinese leaders. Opposition to the law was widespread from the start, with groups from all sections of society - ranging from lawyers to housewives - voicing their criticism or starting petitions.

Hundreds of petitions against the amendments started by university and secondary school alumni, overseas students and church groups also appeared online.

By Greg Torode. HONG KONG Reuters - Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has delayed indefinitely a proposed law that would allow extraditions to mainland China, in a dramatic retreat after widespread anger over the bill sparked the biggest street protests in three decades. To see a live blog of coverage of the Hong Kong protests, click reut. The Hong Kong government first launched the proposals in February, putting forward sweeping changes that would simplify case-by-case extraditions of criminal suspects to countries beyond the 20 with which Hong Kong has existing extradition treaties.

However, the bill removes Legislative Council oversight of extradition arrangements. If the bill becomes law, it will be possible for mainland Chinese courts to request Hong Kong courts to freeze and confiscate assets related to crimes committed on the mainland, beyond an existing provision covering the proceeds of drug offences.

The government has vowed to push ahead with the extradition bill. A second wave of protests is planned for tonight June 11 and tomorrow June By providing your email, you agree to the Quartz Privacy Policy.

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