On the 10th anniversary of the detention of jailed Swedish publisher Gui Minhai in China

B100431/2025

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the 10th anniversary of the detention of jailed Swedish publisher Gui Minhai in China

(2025/2906(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation of human rights in China and on the case of Gui Minhai,

– having regard to the EU–China Strategic Partnership, including the commitment to a comprehensive human rights dialogue,

– having regard to Rule 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas Gui Minhai, a Swedish publisher and EU citizen, was abducted in Thailand in 2015 in an act of extraordinary rendition, subsequently forced to deliver public confessions, and later subjected to a closed trial in China on politically motivated and unsubstantiated charges;

B. whereas Gui Minhai remains arbitrarily detained, deprived of his liberty, denied full consular access, and his whereabouts remain unclear;

C. whereas the European Parliament recently supported the resumption of inter-parliamentary dialogue with the China and its National People’s Congress, which must also include frank and substantial discussions on human rights and the protection of EU citizens;

1. Strongly condemns the illegal abduction of Gui Minhai and his continued arbitrary detention on fabricated charges in trial proceedings that violated international due process standards;

2. Denounces the practice of extraordinary renditions, forced televised confessions, and show trials in China, which are contrary to international law and human rights standards;

3. Calls on the Chinese authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Gui Minhai, to fully respect his rights as EU citizen, and to guarantee him unhindered access to Swedish consular representatives and his family;

4. Calls on the Chinese authorities to guarantee Gui Minhai’s right to maintain regular contact with his family and legal representatives, including telephone or video calls, and to ensure his access to timely and adequate medical care by independent health professionals.

5. Calls on the Swedish government to make Gui Minhai's release a priority in its relations with China and to work with other European countries to press harder for his freedom;

6. Urges the Chinese authorities to disclose without delay Gui Minhai’s current place of detention and ensure his safety, health, and dignity;

7. Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all other political prisoners and arbitrarily detained individuals in China, including Ilham Tohti, Go Sherab Gyatso, Xu Na, Wang Yi, Yu Wensheng, Zhang Zhan, and Li Qiaochu;

8. Underlines that the recent decision to resume parliamentary dialogue with the Chinese National People’s Congress must be firmly extended to cover human rights, the rule of law, and the protection of EU citizens abroad;

9. Urges the Commission and EEAS, and EU Member States to continue raising Gui Minhai’s case at all levels of bilateral engagement with China and to intensify pressure through coordinated diplomatic and targeted measures;

10. Reaffirms the need for the EU Delegation in Beijing to actively monitor trials and detention conditions of human rights defenders, including EU citizens, and to consistently demand accountability for abuses;

11.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, the EU Member States, and the Government and National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China.