09/04/2019 (Agence Europe) – The spokeswoman of the European External Action Service, Maja Kocijancic, said on Tuesday 9 April that the fact that nine pro-democracy activists of the “umbrella” movement had been convicted of “disturbing public order could have a detrimental effect on the development of democracy in Hong Kong”. The spokesperson stressed the importance of respecting fundamental rights and freedoms, including freedom of expression and peaceful demonstration. Ms Kocijancic also called on Hong Kong to resume electoral reform and reach an agreement on the electoral system that is “fair, open, transparent and democratic”. In the autumn of 2014, these activists participated in the “umbrella revolution”, which demanded political reforms from China, unsuccessfully. (CG)