On Hong Kong, notably the cases of Jimmy Lai and the 45 activists recently convicted under the application of national security law

B100210/2024

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on Hong Kong, notably the cases of Jimmy Lai and the 45 activists recently convicted under the application of national security law

(2024/2950(RSP))

The European Parliament,

-having regard to its previous resolutions on Hong Kong,

-having regard to Rules 150(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

whereas the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) continue oppressing basic human rights and press freedom under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) and the National Security Law (NSL); whereas the PRC has fully breached the ‘one country, two systems’ principle, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR); whereas over 200 people have been arrested since the NSL’s adoption;

whereas Jimmy Lai has been detained since December 2020 on trumped-up charges, accused of collusion with foreign forces, and fraud, as well as sedition under NSL; whereas his trial not only leads to possible life sentence but also further deterioration of the freedom of expression and journalism in Hong Kong; whereas other 45 pro-democracy activists who participated in a 2020 democratic primary faced sentences ranging from a minimum of four years to 10 years in jail for ‘conspiracy to subvert state power’;

whereas Jimmy Lai, a 76 years old British citizen being imprisoned in lengthy solitary confinement, who suffers from diabetes with no access to medical care, faces increasing risk of long-term health complications and denial of Holy Communion in prison;

Strongly condemns the NSL and the SNSO and the unjust imprisonment and ongoing ill treatment of Jimmy Lai and the 45 recently convicted activists; demands the release all pro-democracy activists immediately and unconditionally; urges the PRC and Hong Kong to repeal the NSL and the SNSO;

Urges the Council to review its 2020 Conclusions on Hong Kong and adopt sanctions under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime against Chief Executive John Lee and all Hong Kong and PRC officials responsible for human rights violations;

Calls on the EEAS to support the EU Office to Hong Kong in trial observation and prison visits, monitoring human rights by releasing public statements, and actively promoting the human rights focal points for human rights defenders;

Calls on the Commission and the EEAS to review the status and privileges of the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office in Brussels;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission, the Commission, the Council, the Government and Parliament of the PRC, and the Chief Executive and the Legislative Council of the HKSAR.