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 ECR Group · Rapporteur: Adam Bielan, Arkadiusz Mularczyk, Mariusz Kamiński, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Tobiasz Bocheński, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Alexandr Vondra, Waldemar Buda, Ondřej Krutílek, Veronika Vrecionová, Maciej Wąsik, Geadis Geadi, Nikola Bartůšek, Waldemar Tomaszewski, Bert-Jan Ruissen, Małgorzata Gosiewska, Carlo Fidanza, Jadwiga Wiśniewska, Alberico Gambino, Assita Kanko, Marlena Maląg, Bogdan Rzońca, Ivaylo Valchev, Michał Dworczyk
Parliament's resolution condemns the deterioration of media freedom and freedom of expression in Hong Kong and the use of the 2020 National Security Law against journalists, publishers and activists.¶¶¶ It condemns the arrest of bookseller Leticia Wong, the convictions of Chow Hang-tung and Lee Cheuk-yan and the sentencing of Jimmy Lai, and demands their release and that of others detained.¶¶ It calls for the repeal of the National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, and for targeted sanctions by the Council and the Commission against those responsible for violations.¶¶
Key points
- Parliament strongly condemns the systematic eradication of media freedom, freedom of expression and other fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong by the Hong Kong authorities and the CCP in Beijing.¶
- It condemns the adoption and use of the 2020 National Security Law as a tool to criminalise journalism, publishing and peaceful political advocacy.¶
- It calls for the repeal of the National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.¶
- It strongly condemns the arrest of Leticia Wong, the convictions of Chow Hang-tung and Lee Cheuk-yan and the sentencing of Jimmy Lai.¶
- It demands an immediate end to their persecution and their unconditional release, as well as the release of others detained for exercising their fundamental rights.¶
- It highlights that these cases exemplify the systematic use of state security laws to eliminate independent media, free speech and the political opposition in Hong Kong.¶
- It calls on the Council and the Commission to adopt targeted sanctions against all individuals responsible for violations of fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong and the persecution of defenders of freedom.¶
Who is affected
- Hong Kong authorities and the CCP in Beijing, held responsible for eradicating media freedom and fundamental freedoms.¶
- Journalists, publishers, booksellers, lawyers and pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong, targeted by national-security laws.¶
- Leticia Wong, Chow Hang-tung, Lee Cheuk-yan and Jimmy Lai, whose release Parliament demands.¶
- The Council and the Commission, asked to adopt targeted sanctions.¶
Figures and deadlines
- 2020 National Security Law, adopted after the 2019 anti-government protests.¶
- Hong Kong dropped to 140th place in the global world press freedom index.¶
- Chow Hang-tung and Lee Cheuk-yan face up to 10 years in prison when facing their sentencing later this year.¶
- Jimmy Lai was handed a 20 year-prison sentence.¶
- Apple Daily was shut down in 2021.¶
- The Safeguarding National Security Ordinance was enacted in 2024.¶
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.