HONG KONG – The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Tuesday suspended its extradition and legal assistance agreements with Ireland and the Netherlands in accordance with the instruction of the central government.

In a statement issued on Tuesday evening, the HKSAR government said it issued notices to the Netherlands Consulate General in Hong Kong and the Consulate General of Ireland to Hong Kong to suspend both the agreement for the surrender of fugitive offenders (SFO) and the agreement on mutual legal assistance (MLA) in criminal matters that the HKSAR had with both countries.

A government spokesman the move came after the Netherlands and Ireland unilaterally suspended the implementation of the SFO agreements with the HKSAR using the enactment of the National Security Law "as an excuse.”

ALSO READ: Security law brings 'immediate positive changes' to HK

“Such moves are open interference in China's internal affairs and a violation of international law and basic norms governing international relations,” the spokesman was quoted as saying in the statement.

“The HKSAR government firmly objects to the moves of the Netherlands and Ireland,” he added.

The spokesman said the two countries had politicized juridical cooperation, “thereby damaging the basis of juridical cooperation" between them and the HKSAR. 

ALSO READ: National Security Law 'crucial' to restoring peace in Hong Kong

“For this reason, in accordance with the instruction of the (central government), the HKSAR government has suspended the implementation of the SFO agreements and the MLA agreements with the Netherlands and Ireland," the spokesman added.

HKSAR government also issued, in accordance with the instruction of the central government, notices to the French, German and Finnish consulates to shelve the SFO agreement with France and suspend the implementation of the SFO agreements with Germany and Finland, according to the statement.

The HKSAR government also suspended its legal assistance agreements with Germany, France, and Finland, it added.

READ MORE: National Security Law a valid response to radicals who wished HKSAR harm