The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, denounced the adoption on Thursday 12 November by the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress of a ‘Decision on the qualification of members of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’.
Under this decision, which includes, inter alia, the requirement for loyalty to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, members of the Council may be immediately disqualified by the executive without any due process, right of appeal, or involvement of the judicial authorities. Following this decision, the Hong Kong Government declared that four incumbent pan-democrat legislators had been disqualified under this decision. Fifteen other members of the pan-democrat Legislative Council subsequently resigned in protest.
“These latest steps constitute a further severe blow to political pluralism and freedom of opinion in Hong Kong”, the High Representative said in a statement on behalf of the EU-27. In his view, this “arbitrary” decision by Beijing further undermines Hong Kong's autonomy under the principle of “One Country, Two Systems” and the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms in Hong Kong, in violation of China’s international commitments.
The High Representative therefore called for the immediate reversal of these decisions by the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities and the immediate reinstatement of the members of the Legislative Council.
He warned that these latest developments would form part of his assessment to be made to the EU Council before the end of the year. This review, decided last July, is intended to take stock of the implementation of the National Security Law and its effects on rights and freedoms and on the business environment in the city-state, as well as the impact of the EU package of measures (see EUROPE 12538/10). (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)