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Q&A: Why hundreds of thousands protested in Hong Kong

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Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets of Hong Kong over the weekend to protest a legislative proposal that would allow criminal suspects…
Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets of Hong Kong over the weekend to protest a legislative proposal that would allow criminal suspects to be extradited to mainland China. It was thought to be the territory’s largest protest in more than a decade and reflects growing apprehension about relations with the Communist Party-ruled mainland.
A closer look at the issue:
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WHY ARE PEOPLE PROTESTING?
Opponents of the proposed extradition amendments say the changes would significantly compromise the territory’s legal independence, long viewed as one of the key differences between Hong Kong and mainland China.
Critics believe the legislation would put Hong Kong residents at risk of being entrapped in China’s murky judicial system, in which political opponents have been charged with economic crimes or ill-defined national security transgressions. Opponents say once charged, the suspects may face unfair proceedings in a system where the vast majority of criminal trials end in conviction.
The legislation’s opponents include members of legal, business and human rights organizations, as well as scores of ordinary citizens who cherish Hong Kong’s reputation for the rule of law.
Hong Kong’s leader Carrie Lam has said that safeguards have been added to the legislation to ensure human rights are protected.
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WHAT ARE THE DETAILS OF THE LEGISLATION?
Hong Kong currently limits extraditions to jurisdictions with which it has existing agreements and to others on an individual basis.

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