What changed

B90241/2024

P9_TA(2024)0371

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on theThe new security law in Hong Kong and the cases of Andy Li and Joseph John

(2024/2700(RSP))

PE762.549

European Parliament resolution of 25 April 2024 on the new security law in Hong Kong and the cases of Andy Li and Joseph John (2024/2700(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to Rules 144(5) and 132(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas the Legislative Council of Hong Kong adopted the ‘Safeguarding National Security Bill’, called Article 23, on 19 March 2024;

A. whereas on 19 March 2024, the Hong Kong (HK) Legislative Council passed the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO), based on Article 23 of the HK Basic Law; whereas the SNSO expands the National Security Law (NSL) imposed by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and authorises even more radical infringements of basic freedoms and liberties, in breach of the Sino-British and Sino-Portuguese Declarations, the one country, two systems principle, and international human rights obligations;

B. whereas this new law further erodes civil liberties, by expanding the national security law, covering treason, sedition, external interference, sabotage or espionage of state secrets; whereas it endangers the work of the EU Office, the Member States’ Consulates-General, the EU citizens, organisations and companies; whereas this law is another pattern of the PRC breaches of the ‘one country, two systems’ principle, the Sino-British and Sino-Portuguese Joint Declarations and the ICCPR;

B. whereas Andy Li, a pro-democracy activist and key witness in Jimmy Lai’s trial, allegedly confessed, under torture, to conspiracy and collusion with foreign entities; whereas the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture has expressed concerns;

C. whereas the case of Joseph John, a dual ChineseHK-Portuguese Portuguesedual national, is the first EU citizen jailed under the extra-territorialextraterritorial application andof the new ChineseNSL imposedto Articlean 23EU law;citizen; whereas heJohn was arrested for posting alleged pro-independenceallegedly andposting anti-China content on social media andcontent wasand convictedcommitting, forfrom allegedEurope, incitement to "secession" committed from Europe,‘secession’, and was sentenced on 11 April 2024 to five years inyears’ jail;imprisonment;

D. whereas Andy Li, a pro-democracy activist and key witness in the trial of Jimmy Lai, was tortured in prison in China; whereas Andy Li confessed under torture alleged conspiration with Jimmy Lai to collude with foreign entities to endanger the national security;

D. whereas Polish national Aleksandra Bielakowska, who intended to attend Lai’s trial, was detained upon arrival in HK, interrogated and deported;

1. Condemns the adoption of the Article 23 Law, which further imposes severe restrictions on freedom of expression, media freedom and freedom of association; is deeply concerned by the extra-territorial and retroactive application of the new national security law; demands the Hong-Kong authorities to urgently repeal both national security laws;

1. Strongly condemns the SNSO’s adoption, which erases the last vestiges of fundamental freedoms in HK; is appalled at the shutting down of pro-democracy political forces, civil society and news outlets and the arrest of over 200 people since the NSL’s adoption; urges the PRC and HK to repeal the NSL and the SNSO;

2. Urges the Hong KongHK Government to immediately and unconditionally release and drop all charges against JosephLi, John, Andy Li,Lai, Kok Tsz-LunTsz-lun and anyall other pro-democracy representatives and activists, includingactivists Jimmydetained Lai,for exercising their freedom of expression and basic and human rights; calls on the authorities to stop impeding the work of these activistsfreedoms and journalists located indemocratic Hong-Kongrights, and in the EUto suchdrop asall Reporterscharges withoutagainst Borders;them;

3. Urges the Chinese and Hong-Kong authorities to abide by the ‘one country, two systems’ principle, the Hong-Kong basic law and their international commitments;

3. Highlights the SNSO’s undermining of press freedoms; calls on the authorities to stop harassing and prosecuting journalists;

4. Reiterates its calls on the Council to introduce EU sanctions against John Lee and all Hong Kong and PRC officials responsible for the crackdown on freedoms in Hong Kong;

4. Is alarmed that the SNSO significantly impacts the work of the EU’s Office and the Member States’ Consulates-General, and EU citizens, organisations and companies in HK;

5. Urges the European Commission and the Member States to raise and condemn the National Security laws in every engagement with the Hong-Kong and PRC officials;

5. Urges the Council to review its 2020 Conclusions on HK and adopt sanctions under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime against Chief Executive John Lee and all HK and PRC officials responsible for the crackdown on freedoms in HK;

6. Condemns transnational repression by the Chinese authorities against Hong Kong diaspora communities within the EU through notably the overseas police stations; reiterates its call to EU Member States to suspend extradition treaties with the PRC and Hong Kong, to repeal cooperation agreements in the security area, and to introduce lifeboat schemes for Hong Kong pro-democracy activists and journalists at risk;

6. Denounces obstructions to trial monitoring and stresses the prioritisation of adequate support to and reporting of relevant trial observation and human rights monitoring, including the establishment of focal points for human rights defenders, in coordination with like-minded partners;

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the EU institutions, the Government and Parliament of the PRC, the Chief Executive and the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

7. Is concerned at the SNSO’s extraterritoriality and retroactivity applying worldwide; condemns the targeting of EU-based HK diaspora and of Beijing-critical politicians and public figures; urges the Member States to suspend extradition treaties with the PRC and HK and to introduce lifeboat schemes for at-risk HK activists and journalists;

8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the other EU institutions, the Government and Parliament of the PRC, the Hong Kong Chief Executive and Legislative Council, and the EU Office in Hong Kong.