On The new security law in Hong Kong and the cases of Andy Li and Joseph John
B-9-2024-0238
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group · Rapporteur: Reinhard Bütikofer, Heidi Hautala, Jordi Solé, Bronis Ropė, Hannah Neumann, Viola von Cramon-Taubadel, Henrike Hahn, Francisco Guerreiro, Alviina Alametsä, Ville Niinistö, Erik Marquardt
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This resolution strongly condemns the adoption of the Safeguarding National Security Bill in Hong Kong, which expands the National Security Law and erases fundamental freedoms. It urges the release of all pro-democracy activists and calls for sanctions against officials.¶¶¶ It highlights violations of press freedom and the impact on EU citizens and institutions, and urges member states to suspend extradition treaties with China and Hong Kong.¶¶¶
Key points
- Strongly condemns the adoption of the NSB, which erases the last vestiges of fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong, and is appalled at the shuttering of pro-democracy forces and arrests of over 200 people.¶
- Urges the Hong Kong government to immediately and unconditionally release and drop all charges against all pro-democracy representatives and activists.¶
- Highlights that the NSB violates press freedom, citing cases of former editors facing prison for publishing allegedly seditious articles, and that the crime of external interference criminalises broad international interactions.¶
- Is alarmed that the violation of rule of law affects the work of the EU Office, member states' consulates, and impacts EU citizens, organisations and companies in Hong Kong.¶
- Urges the Council to review its 2020 Conclusions on Hong Kong and adopt sanctions under the EU Human Rights Sanctions Regime against Chief Executive John Lee and other responsible officials.¶
- Denounces refusal to allow unrestricted trial observation, as in the case of Aleksandra Bielakowska, and stresses the priority of trial observation by European representations.¶
- Urges all EU member states to suspend extradition treaties with the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong.¶
Who is affected
- Hong Kong pro-democracy activists and political representatives, who are urged to be released and have charges dropped.¶
- EU citizens, organisations and companies in Hong Kong, whose work is impacted by the law.¶
- EU member states, which are urged to suspend extradition treaties with China and Hong Kong.¶