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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

UK to suspend crowd control supplies to Hong Kong

In this Wednesday, June 12, 2019, photo, a woman waves a British flag as policemen in anti-riot gear stand guard against the protesters on a closed-off road near the Legislative Council in Hong Kong. China promised that for 50 years after Britain gave up control of its last colony in 1997, this shimmering financial enclave would get to keep freedoms absent in the communist-ruled mainland that many here don't want to live without. (Kin Cheung / AP)
Associated Press

LONDON – Britain’s foreign secretary says the country will refrain from issuing export licenses for crowd control equipment to Hong Kong unless it addresses human rights concerns.

Jeremy Hunt also urged the Hong Kong government to establish a “robust, independent investigation into the violent scenes that we saw.” Many in the city have criticized the police for unleashing tear gas and rubber bullets against protesters in violent clashes that left dozens injured on both sides.

Hong Kong has been rocked by massive protests against a controversial extradition law in recent weeks.

Hunt told lawmakers Tuesday no more licenses would be issued “unless we are satisfied that concerns raised on human rights and fundamental freedoms have been thoroughly addressed.”

The Foreign Office did not immediately comment on what licenses are currently in place.