On Thursday 7 January, following the arrest of around a hundred pro-democracy activists (see EUROPE 12630/5), Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, speaking on behalf of the EU, urged the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities to “respect the rule of law, human rights and democratic principles” in Hong Kong.
The High Representative called for the release of the activists, including former opposition MPs and civil society activists, who were arrested under the National Security Law, and stated that the arrests “penalise political activity that should be entirely legitimate in any political system that respects basic democratic principles”.
They “are the latest indication that the National Security Law is being used by the Hong Kong and mainland authorities to stifle political pluralism in Hong Kong, and the exercise of human rights and political freedoms that are protected under Hong Kong law and international law”, he added.
In his statement, the High Representative also called for China to respect Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy under the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ principle, as enshrined in the Hong Kong Basic Law and in line with domestic and international obligations. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)