Sittings · Document
On deteriorating situation of media freedom and freedom of expression in Hong Kong following the recent arrest of bookseller Leticia Wong and the convictions of Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung
on behalf of the PPE Group · Rapporteur: Sebastião Bugalho, Miriam Lexmann, Isabel Wiseler-Lima, Željana Zovko, Tomas Tobé, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Reinhold Lopatka, Andrey Kovatchev, Wouter Beke, Jan Farský, Michał Wawrykiewicz, Mirosława Nykiel, Magdalena Adamowicz, Liudas Mažylis, Danuše Nerudová, Łukasz Kohut, Tomáš Zdechovský, Vangelis Meimarakis, Ondřej Kolář, Ana Miguel Pedro, Jessica Polfjärd, Inese Vaidere, Luděk Niedermayer, Loránt Vincze
Parliament's resolution condemns the use of the National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance to dismantle freedoms in Hong Kong and calls for their repeal.¶ It condemns the convictions of Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung and the arrest of bookseller Leticia Wong, and demands their release and the lifting of all charges.¶¶ It calls for the release of Jimmy Lai and of all people detained for exercising fundamental freedoms, and for all charges against them to be dropped.¶ It urges the EU Delegation to step up diplomatic engagement on these cases and asks the Council to sanction Hong Kong and Chinese officials under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime.¶¶
Key points
- Parliament says fundamental freedoms and the rule of law in Hong Kong keep deteriorating because of a crackdown by the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities.¶
- It says the authorities have used the National Security Law since 2020 to silence dissent, and that China breached its international legal obligations under the Sino-British Joint Declaration, which guaranteed Hong Kong a special status until 2047.¶
- It notes that bookseller Leticia Wong, owner of Hunter Bookstore and a former political reporter, was arrested on 24 June 2026 on charges of seditious intent and selling publications inciting hatred.¶
- It notes that Chow Hang-Tung and Lee Cheuk-Yan, former leaders of the Hong Kong Alliance, were arrested in September 2021 and charged under the National Security Law.¶
- It condemns the dismantling of freedom of expression, media freedom, peaceful assembly and association through the National Security Law, the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance and related legislation, and calls for their repeal.¶
- It condemns the arrest and detention of Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung and urges Hong Kong to repeal their convictions and release them immediately and unconditionally.¶
- It demands that all charges against Leticia Wong be lifted, seized materials returned and reprisals against her, her family and associates stopped, and calls for her immediate and unconditional release.¶
- It deplores the detention of Jimmy Lai since 2020 and his harsh conditions, calls for his release, and calls for the release of all persons detained for exercising fundamental freedoms and for charges against them to be dropped.¶
- It notes that China has the largest number of imprisoned journalists, with at least 51 behind bars, and that at least 28 journalists have been prosecuted in Hong Kong since 2020, with eight presently detained.¶
- It urges the EU Delegation to intensify diplomatic engagement and monitoring on the cases of Chow Hang-Tung, Lee Cheuk-Yan, Leticia Wong, Jimmy Lai and related cases.¶
- It calls on the Council to list Hong Kong and Chinese officials responsible for serious human rights violations under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime.¶
Who is affected
- Hong Kong authorities: urged to repeal convictions, lift charges and release detainees.¶¶
- Leticia Wong, Lee Cheuk-yan, Chow Hang-tung and Jimmy Lai: the resolution demands their release and the lifting of charges.¶¶¶
- Journalists, publishers, booksellers, human rights and pro-democracy activists detained in Hong Kong: calls for their release and dropped charges.¶
- EU Delegation: urged to intensify diplomatic engagement and monitoring.¶
- Council: asked to sanction Hong Kong and Chinese officials under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime.¶
Figures and deadlines
- 24 June 2026: date Leticia Wong was arrested.¶
- September 2021: date Chow Hang-Tung and Lee Cheuk-Yan were arrested and detained.¶
- 2020: year the National Security Law entered into force.¶
- 2047: year until which the Sino-British Joint Declaration guaranteed Hong Kong a special status.¶
- at least 51: imprisoned journalists in China.¶
- at least 28: journalists prosecuted in Hong Kong since 2020.¶
- eight: journalists presently detained in Hong Kong.¶
Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text and ¶ links to the paragraph it rests on. Check the text itself before relying on it.