On The new security law in Hong Kong and the cases of Andy Li and Joseph John

B90258/2024

Motion for a European Parliament resolution 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 Rule 144 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas on 19 March 2024, the Beijing controlled Hong Kong Legislative Council, after only 12 days of deliberation, unanimously voted to pass the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) under Article 23 of the Basic Law; whereas Hong Kong's Beijing-selected leader John Lee signed the law into force on 23 March;

B. whereas the SNSO expands on the Beijing-imposed National Security Law (NSL) by creating new offences, increasing penalties for existing offences and giving the government more sweeping powers of enforcement;

C. whereas Hong Kong activist Andy Li, who stands accused of three crimes under the NSL, took the stand in a Hong Kong court as a key prosecution witness in the trial of businessman and pro-democracy leader Jimmy Lai; whereas it is widely believed that his testimony has been obtained as a result of torture or other unlawful treatment;

D. whereas on 11 April 2024 Joseph John was sentenced to five years in jail by a Hong Kong court after being convicted of "secession" under the NSL; whereas John, who holds a dual Portuguese-Hong Kong nationality, was arrested for posting pro-independence and anti-China content on social media in 2022;

E. ; whereas on 10 April Reporters Without Borders representative Aleksandra Bielakowska was detained and deported while trying to enter Hong Kong to monitor the trial of Jimmy Lai on the invitation of the EU office to Hong Kong;

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1. Condemns Beijing’s ongoing assault on Hong Kong’s autonomy and its freedoms, notably the recent adoption of the SNSO; is particularly concerned about the sweeping provisions and broad definitions of the law, its extraterritorial reach, its retroactive applicability and the significantly increased penalties provided for in the bill;

2. Calls on the authorities to repeal the NSL and the SNSO and to restore Hong Kong’s autonomy and freedoms;

3. Expresses deep concern over the alleged forced testimony by Andy Li in the case of Jimmy Lai and the charges he is facing under the NSL; calls on to drop the politically motivated charges against both, to grant them fair trials in line with international standards and to allow diplomats and independent advocacy officers to step up trial observation and prison visits;

4. Expresses deep concern about the sentencing of Joseph John; calls on the Hong Kong authorities to release Joseph John, Jimmy Lai and all other political prisoners in Hong Kong;

5. Reiterates its calls on the Council to introduce targeted sanctions under the EU global human rights sanctions regime against John Lee and all other Hong Kong and PRC officials responsible for the ongoing crackdown on human rights in Hong Kong;

6. Condemns attempts by the Chinese authorities to target Hong Kong diaspora communities within the EU and Beijing-critical Western politicians and public figures; reiterates its call on all EU Member States to suspend extradition treaties with the PRC and Hong Kong;

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Hong Kong Government and Legislative Council;