What changed

B100431/2025

B100435/2025

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the 10th anniversary of the detention of jailed Swedish publisher Gui Minhai in China

(2025/2906(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation of human rights in China and on thePeople’s caseRepublic of GuiChina Minhai,(PRC)

– having regard to the EU–China Strategic Partnership, including the commitment to a comprehensive human rights dialogue,

having regard to Rule 150 (5) of its Rules of Procedure,

– having regard to Rule 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

Whereas Gui Minhai, a Hong Kong-Swedish citizen, publisher, and co-founder of the Hong Kong-based Mighty Current publishing house and its bookshop, publishing and selling works critical of China’s Communist leaders, was abducted in Thailand in October 2015 and later appeared in Chinese custody, allegedly confessing under duress to past criminal charges;

A. whereas Gui Minhai, a Swedish publisher and EU citizen, was abducted in Thailand in 2015 in an act of extraordinary rendition, subsequently forced to deliver public confessions, and later subjected to a closed trial in China on politically motivated and unsubstantiated charges;

Whereas four of his colleagues also disappeared at various moments in October 2015, who were all gradually released in the subsequent months;

B. whereas Gui Minhai remains arbitrarily detained, deprived of his liberty, denied full consular access, and his whereabouts remain unclear;

Whereas Gui Minhai was released in 2017 but was again detained by Chinese authorities in January 2018 while traveling with Swedish diplomats;

C. whereas the European Parliament recently supported the resumption of inter-parliamentary dialogue with the China and its National People’s Congress, which must also include frank and substantial discussions on human rights and the protection of EU citizens;

Whereas in February 2020, Gui Minhai was sentenced to 10 years in prison by a Chinese court in Ningbo on charges of "illegally providing intelligence" to foreign entities, a charge widely viewed as politically motivated and lacking transparency; whereas since 2020 his whereabouts are unknown;

1. Strongly condemns the illegal abduction of Gui Minhai and his continued arbitrary detention on fabricated charges in trial proceedings that violated international due process standards;

Whereas Gui Minhai has reportedly been denied access to independent legal counsel, consular support, and adequate medical care, in violation of international law and diplomatic norms;

2. Denounces the practice of extraordinary renditions, forced televised confessions, and show trials in China, which are contrary to international law and human rights standards;

Whereas his case is emblematic of the Chinese government's broader crackdown on freedom of expression, academic freedom, and human rights, including in Hong Kong;

3. Calls on the Chinese authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Gui Minhai, to fully respect his rights as EU citizen, and to guarantee him unhindered access to Swedish consular representatives and his family;

Strongly condemns the continued detention and sentencing of Gui Minhai and calls for his immediate and unconditional release;

4. Calls on the Chinese authorities to guarantee Gui Minhai’s right to maintain regular contact with his family and legal representatives, including telephone or video calls, and to ensure his access to timely and adequate medical care by independent health professionals.

Urges the Chinese authorities to respect its international human rights obligations, by granting Gui Minhai consular visits and the right to medical treatment and to reveal his whereabouts;

5. Calls on the Swedish government to make Gui Minhai's release a priority in its relations with China and to work with other European countries to press harder for his freedom;

Calls on the EU and its Member State raise Gui Minhai’s case, as well as all other individual cases of European citizens imprisoned in China, including dual nationals, at all levels of engagement with China, including through bilateral dialogues and multilateral forums;

6. Urges the Chinese authorities to disclose without delay Gui Minhai’s current place of detention and ensure his safety, health, and dignity;

Calls on the Council to consider targeted restrictive measures under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime against officials responsible for Gui Minhai’s detention and ill-treatment;

7. Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all other political prisoners and arbitrarily detained individuals in China, including Ilham Tohti, Go Sherab Gyatso, Xu Na, Wang Yi, Yu Wensheng, Zhang Zhan, and Li Qiaochu;

Expresses concern about the ongoing deterioration of human rights and the rule of law in the PRC, including in Hong Kong, and in particular the targeting of individuals exercising their right to freedom of expression;

8. Underlines that the recent decision to resume parliamentary dialogue with the Chinese National People’s Congress must be firmly extended to cover human rights, the rule of law, and the protection of EU citizens abroad;

Reaffirms its unwavering support for all those fighting for freedom of expression and human rights in the PRC and Hong Kong;

9. Urges the Commission and EEAS, and EU Member States to continue raising Gui Minhai’s case at all levels of bilateral engagement with China and to intensify pressure through coordinated diplomatic and targeted measures;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the EEAS, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Government and National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China,

10. Reaffirms the need for the EU Delegation in Beijing to actively monitor trials and detention conditions of human rights defenders, including EU citizens, and to consistently demand accountability for abuses;

11. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, the EU Member States, and the Government and National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China.