On deteriorating situation of media freedom and freedom of expression in Hong Kong following the recent arrest of bookseller Leticia Wong and the convictions of Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung

B100407/2026

European Parliament resolution on deteriorating situation of media freedom and freedom of expression in Hong Kong following the recent arrest of bookseller Leticia Wong and the convictions of Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung

(2026/2873(RSP))

The European Parliament,

having regard to its previous resolutions on Hong Kong,

having regard to Rule 150 of its Rules of Procedure,

whereas the freedom of expression and media freedom situation in Hong Kong has been continuously deteriorating; whereas this process has accelerated dramatically since the 2020 National Security Law was adopted by Beijing following the 2019 anti-government protests; whereas the National Security Law is used to silence independent voices, supress and target journalists and political opposition; whereas prosecution, intimidation and coordinated harassment campaigns of journalists and their families have been on the rise; whereas the ‘Safeguarding National Security Ordinance’ enacted in 2024 further expands legal threats faced by journalists; whereas these developments saw Hong Kong drop to 140th place in the global world press freedom index;

whereas numerous people have been arrested on bogus national-security related grounds, including journalists, publishers, booksellers, lawyers and pro-democracy activists; whereas mistreatment among these prisoners as well as the use of prolonged solitary confinement was also reported;

whereas actions of Hong Kong and Chinese authorities undermine international commitments, obligations to preserve Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy, and basic principles stemming from the Hong Kong Basic Law;

whereas in June authorities arrested bookstore owner Leticia Wong - an outspokenly pro-democratic former district councillor; whereas in August Chow Hang-tung and Lee Cheuk-yan were found guilty for breaching the National Security Law and face up to 10 years in prison when facing their sentencing later this year; whereas earlier this year Jimmy Lai - founder of Apple Daily, a newspaper defending freedom of expression in Hong Kong before its shutdown in 2021 - was handed a draconian 20 year-prison sentence; whereas they represent yet another stark confirmation of the eradication of freedoms and democracy in Hong Kong;

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Strongly condemns the systematic eradication of media freedom, freedom of expression, and other fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong at the hands of the Hong Kong authorities and the CCP in Beijing.

Condemns the adoption and usage of the 2020 National Security Law, which serves as an oppressive tool to criminalise journalism, publishing, and peaceful political advocacy; calls for the repeal of the National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.

Strongly condemns the recent arrest of Leticia Wong as well as convictions of Chow Hang-tung, Lee Cheuk-yan and the sentencing of Jimmy Lai; demands immediate end to their persecution and unconditional release as well as the release of others detained for exercising their fundamental rights;

Highlights that these cases exemplify the systematic use of state security laws to eliminate independent media, free speech and the political opposition in Hong Kong;

Calls on the Council and the Commission to adopt targeted sanctions against all individuals responsible for violations of fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong and the persecution of defenders of freedom;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission and the Council, the People’s Republic of China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.