On Thursday 8 July, MEPs expressed their deep concern about the rapidly deteriorating human rights situation in Hong Kong and, in particular, about the direct attacks on freedom of expression and freedom of the press.
In a joint resolution adopted by the Greens/EFA, Renew Europe, S&D, ECR, and EPP groups (578 votes in favour, 29 against and 73 abstentions), MEPs condemn “in the strongest terms” the forced closure of the Apple Daily newspaper , the continued freezing of its assets, and the arrests of its journalists (see EUROPE 12747/24). According to the European Parliament , these are “yet another step by the PRC in dismantling free society in Hong Kong and setting the definitive end of media freedom and freedom of expression there”.
Parliament calls on the Hong Kong authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all journalists, peaceful demonstrators, activists and political representatives who have been arrested on charges under the National Security Law—which it calls for to be repealed—and to drop all charges against them.
MEPs also condemn any attempt to muzzle pro-democracy activists, new restrictions on the independence of the judiciary, and the increasing politicisation of the courts. They also highlight their concerns about the recently adopted changes to Hong Kong’s electoral law.
In view of this situation, the European Parliament calls on the Commission and the Member States to make the National Security Law a top priority on the agenda of all EU-China meetings. In its view, the EEAS and the EU Council should continue to evaluate and advance the package adopted in July 2020 (see EUROPE 12538/10, 12737/19). It calls for measures concerning the suspension of extradition treaties, visas, and support for civil society.
See the joint resolution: https://bit.ly/3yAWctJ (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)