In a debate, MEPs reiterated their support for peaceful demonstrators in Hong Kong (see EUROPE 12299/20) on the evening of 16 September.
Although they welcomed the withdrawal of the Extradition Act (see EUROPE 12320/24), MEPs called on the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities to go further. “It is not enough to withdraw the law. Citizens want more change, they want investigations into police violence and the universal suffrage promised 22 years ago. Beijing must keep its promise”, said Reinhard Bütikofer (Greens/EFA, Germany).
Several elected representatives called on the EU to do more. “We cannot stand idly by in indifference”, summarised Belgian Hilde Vautmans for Renew Europe.
According to Michaela Sojdrova (EPP, Czech Republic), it is important that “the European Parliament sends a clear and strong message that human rights are a sine qua non for any economic cooperation”. S&D Isabelle Santos (Portugal) and Nina Gill (UK) went further, calling on the EU to use all the instruments at its disposal to support peaceful demonstrators.
Maria Arena (S&D, Belgium), chair of the Human Rights Subcommittee, denounced the fact that some Member States continue to sell repressive equipment to Hong Kong, including tear gas and surveillance equipment.
Idoia Villanueva Ruiz (GUE/NGL, Spain) and Lars Patrick Berg (ID, Germany) called for the EU to develop a strategic plan for dialogue with China.
Internal Market Commissioner Elżbieta Bienkowska, also welcomed the withdrawal of the law as a “step in the right direction” towards appeasement. “The EU has a very strong position, stability must be maintained, Hong Kong's prosperity must be allowed to flourish and fundamental rights must be respected”, she added, adding that it was crucial to maintain dialogue for the good of Hong Kong. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)