In a plenary debate on Thursday 18 June MEPs emphasised their support for the people of Hong Kong following China’s adoption of the National Security Law, calling on the EU to put more pressure on Beijing, especially at the summit on 22 June.
“We condemn what the Chinese authorities are doing against democracy, alongside the people of Hong Kong in defending their rights and autonomy”, said Andrius Kubilius (EPP, Lithuania).
Beyond words, MEPs called on the EU to take action. While Carles Puigdemont (Greens/EFA, Spain) denounced “one set of principles, two standards, this diplomacy which has shown its docility confronting Chinese pressures”, Assita Kanko (ECR, Belgium) said that “if we want to defend democracy in the world, we must not just make declarations of support for democratic forces, but follow up words with actions”.
The joint resolution of the Renew Europe, S&D, Greens/EFA, EPP and ECR groups, which is expected to be adopted on Friday, lists a range of actions that the EU should take.
However, in addition to denouncing the adoption of the law, police violence and the arrest of peaceful activists and pro-democracy political opponents, the European Parliament believes, in the draft resolution, that the EU, as the leading destination for Chinese exports, should use this economic lever against human rights violations committed by Beijing. According to Parliament, the Commission should use all the means at its disposal, “together with the ongoing negotiations for a bilateral investment agreement”, to put pressure on the Chinese authorities on the Hong Kong issue.
More generally, MEPs call for a human rights clause in any future trade agreement with China. They warn that they will take into account the human rights situation in China, and in particular in Hong Kong, when asked to approve a comprehensive investment agreement or future trade agreements.
In addition, the EU, its Member States and the international community should, according to MEPs, work to put in place appropriate export control mechanisms, including cyber-surveillance equipment, to prevent China, and in particular Hong Kong, from gaining access to technologies used to violate fundamental rights.
Parliament also calls on the EU to work with the international community to set up an international contact group on Hong Kong and to coordinate with international partners, including the UK, and to advocate the appointment of a UN Special Envoy for the situation in Hong Kong.
Finally, MEPs call on the EU and its Member States to consider, if the new law is implemented, taking the case to the International Court of Justice, on the grounds that China’s decision is contrary to international law, and believe that the human rights sanctions framework, which is still being adopted in the EU Council, could, once adopted, be used to impose measures on the leaders responsible for the repression in Hong Kong and the serious human rights violations committed in its wake (see draft resolution: https://bit.ly/3hGUWxJ ).
G7 calls on Beijing to reverse its decision
Furthermore, on Wednesday 17 June, in a joint statement, the G7 Foreign Ministers (Germany, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States and Japan) and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy demanded that the Chinese government reconsider its decision to impose the National Security Law. Stressing their concerns about this decision, they considered that an open debate, consultation with stakeholders and respect for the rights and freedoms protected in Hong Kong are essential. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)