On Thursday 18 July, MEPs called on the international community, including the EU and its Member States, to “work to put in place appropriate export control mechanisms to prevent China - and, in particular, Hong Kong - from having access to technologies used to violate fundamental rights”.
In its joint resolution endorsed by the Greens/EFA, ECR, S&D, EPP and Renew Europe groups, Parliament refers to the ongoing demonstrations in Hong Kong, calling on the government to abandon the draft law amending the legislation on fugitive offenders and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, which raises fears of extradition to China for political reasons (see EUROPE 12274/21).
The European Parliament also calls on the authorities to immediately release the peace activists, drop all charges against them and conduct an “independent, impartial, effective and prompt” investigation into the use of force by the Hong Kong police against the demonstrators.
More generally, MEPs are concerned about the continuing deterioration of civil rights, political rights and freedom of the press. They also strongly condemn China's continued and increasing interference in Hong Kong's internal affairs. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)