The European Parliament’s Conference of Presidents (CoP) called on Beijing on Monday 6 July to withdraw Hong Kong’s National Security Law, which “violates the promises made to Hong Kong citizens under the Hong Kong Basic Law and violates China’s binding international obligations”.
In a declaration initiated by the EPP group in line with the resolution adopted on 19 June in plenary session (see EUROPE 12509/6), the political group presidents recall “the European Parliament’s call for adequate consequences to be drawn if the law is not withdrawn”.
“The EU is always open for dialogue with the Hong Kong government and China on this matter. But the imposition of this law is unacceptable and of utmost concern. In the absence of any progress, the EU will consider taking appropriate measure in this regard”, they warn, although Parliament does not have the power to sanction China.
The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced on 30 June that they would consult with Member States and international partners on the way forward following the adoption of the National Security Act in Hong Kong (see EUROPE 12517/3).
Recalling Parliament’s solidarity with the peaceful demonstrators in Hong Kong, the CoP also calls for the immediate release and dropping of all charges against those detained for the peaceful exercise of their freedom of expression since the start of the democratic protests in 2019. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)