On Thursday 24 November, the European Parliament called for the immediate release of Swedish citizen and publisher Gui Minhai, who disappeared in China last year. They also called for him to have the right to communicate with the outside world.
In the joint resolution from the Greens/EFA, ECR, EFDD, EPP, S&D, GUE/NGL and ALDE Groups, MEPs call for immediate and detailed information on Minhai's whereabouts.
The EU institutions should take swift action and include Minhai's case on the agenda of the next EU-China dialogue, the MEPs add. They also underline the importance of a “mature, meaningful and open human rights dialogue” for a strong EU-China relationship.
In addition, the MEPs call for an immediate end to violations of human rights and political intimidation. They ask the Chinese authorities to stop hindering the free movement of information, including restrictions on use of the internet. China must release or drop all charges against peaceful government critics, anti-corruption activists, lawyers, and journalists, the European Parliament adds. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)