The new security law in Hong Kong and the cases of Andy Li and Joseph John
TA-9-2024-0371 · P9_TA(2024)0371 · PE762.549
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Parliament's resolution strongly condemns the adoption of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) in Hong Kong, saying it erases fundamental freedoms, and urges the PRC and Hong Kong to repeal the National Security Law (NSL) and the SNSO.¶ It demands the immediate release of Andy Li, Joseph John, Jimmy Lai, Kok Tsz-lun and all detained pro-democracy activists, and calls for an end to harassment of journalists.¶¶ It urges the Council to impose sanctions on Hong Kong and PRC officials, and calls on member states to suspend extradition treaties and introduce lifeboat schemes for at-risk activists.¶¶
Key points
- Strongly condemns the SNSO's adoption, which erases the last vestiges of fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong, and is appalled at the shutting down of pro-democracy forces and arrest of over 200 people.¶
- Urges the PRC and Hong Kong to repeal the NSL and the SNSO.
- Urges the Hong Kong Government to immediately and unconditionally release Andy Li, Joseph John, Jimmy Lai, Kok Tsz-lun and all other detained pro-democracy representatives and activists, and to drop all charges.¶
- Highlights the SNSO's undermining of press freedoms and calls on authorities to stop harassing and prosecuting journalists.¶
- Is alarmed that the SNSO significantly impacts the work of the EU Office, member states' consulates, and 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 Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime against Chief Executive John Lee and all responsible officials.¶
- Denounces obstructions to trial monitoring and stresses prioritisation of support and reporting of trial observation and human rights monitoring, including focal points for human rights defenders.¶
- Condemns the SNSO's extraterritoriality and retroactivity, and the targeting of EU-based Hong Kong diaspora and Beijing-critical politicians and public figures.¶
- Urges member states to suspend extradition treaties with the PRC and Hong Kong and to introduce lifeboat schemes for at-risk Hong Kong activists and journalists.
Who is affected
- Hong Kong and PRC authorities: urged to repeal the NSL and SNSO and release detained activists.¶¶
- Journalists in Hong Kong: called on authorities to stop harassing and prosecuting them.¶
- EU citizens, organisations and companies in Hong Kong: affected by the SNSO's impact.¶
- EU-based Hong Kong diaspora and Beijing-critical figures: targeted by the SNSO's extraterritoriality.¶
- At-risk Hong Kong activists and journalists: urged member states to introduce lifeboat schemes for them.