Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said Tuesday that a controversial extradition bill which spurred weeks of protest "is dead" -- but stopped short of a formal withdrawal. Lam admitted the legislative process had been a "complete failure" and said there was "no such plan" to restart debates over the bill, which critics fear could be used to target dissidents in Hong Kong for prosecution in China. The bill was suspended on June 18.
"On the 18th of June, I expressed my sincere apology," she said. "The cause of these grievances are caused by the government. There are still lingering doubts about whether the government will restart the bill. There is no such plan. The bill is dead."
"On the 18th of June, I expressed my sincere apology," she said. "The cause of these grievances are caused by the government. There are still lingering doubts about whether the government will restart the bill. There is no such plan. The bill is dead."
While her language Tuesday was stronger, Lam's position on the bill has not shifted since last month. After the bill was suspended, it was always going to die when the current parliament expires in summer 2020, along with all other outstanding legislation.
