resolution motion, 25 November 2024
On Hong Kong, notably the cases of Jimmy Lai and the 45 activists recently convicted under application of national security law
Motion B-10-2024-0209 · (2024/2950(RSP))
on behalf of the Renew Group · Rapporteur: Engin Eroglu, Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Dan Barna, Helmut Brandstätter, Svenja Hahn, Karin Karlsbro, Ľubica Karvašová, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Nathalie Loiseau, JanChristoph Oetjen, Urmas Paet, Hilde Vautmans, Lucia Yar
AI:In short
This resolution condemns the sentencing of pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong under national security laws and urges the repeal of those laws. It calls for the release of Jimmy Lai and the 45 activists, an end to extraterritorial application of the NSL, sanctions on officials, and support for press freedom.
Key points
- Strongly condemns the recent sentencing of pro-democracy activists under national security charges and urges the PRC and Hong Kong to repeal the NSL and the SNSO.
- Urges the Hong Kong government to immediately and unconditionally release Jimmy Lai and the 45 pro-democracy activists and drop all charges against them.
- Condemns the extraterritorial application of the NSL and attempts to target diaspora communities within the EU; calls on member states to suspend extradition treaties with the PRC and Hong Kong.
- Calls on the Council to introduce targeted sanctions under the EU global human rights sanctions regime against Hong Kong and PRC officials responsible for human rights violations and to revoke Hong Kong's favourable treatment as a separate customs territory.
- Reiterates calls on the EEAS to support the EU Office in Hong Kong in intensifying prison visits, trial observation, monitoring human rights, and establishing a human rights focal point.
- Calls on Hong Kong authorities to enable journalists to report freely and on the EEAS to support press freedom and independent journalism in Hong Kong.
Who is affected
- Hong Kong and PRC authorities: urged to repeal laws, release prisoners, and allow press freedom.
- EU member states: called on to suspend extradition treaties with PRC and Hong Kong.
- EU Council: called on to impose sanctions on officials and revoke Hong Kong's customs status.
- EEAS: called on to support EU Office in Hong Kong and press freedom.
Figures and deadlines
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Full text
Text 19 paragraphs
B100209/2024
Motion for a European Parliament resolution on Hong Kong, notably the cases of Jimmy Lai and the 45 activists recently convicted under application of national security law
(2024/2950(RSP))
The European Parliament,
having regard to its previous resolutions on Hong Kong and on China,
having regard to Rule 150(5) of its Rules of Procedure,
whereas after the introduction of the National Security Law (NSL) by the PRC in June 2020, and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) by the HK Legislative Council on 19 March 2024 fundamental freedoms, the rule of law, and the judiciary’s independence in Hong Kong (HK) have rapidly deteriorated; whereas the PRC has fully violated the Sino-British and Sino-Portuguese Joint Declarations, and the ICCPR;
whereas Jimmy Lai has been detained since 31 December 2020 on trumped-up charges, accused under the NSL of collusion with foreign forces and of fraud; whereas his trial started in December 2023 after various delays; whereas his British lawyer has been refused permission to represent him; whereas several independent media outlets, such as Apple Daily and Stand News, have been forced to cease operations;
whereas in 2020, 45 leading pro-democracy politicians, activists, journalists, and academics were sentenced to up to 10 years’ imprisonment for subversion in the so-called “Hong Kong 47” case for attempting to organise unofficial election primaries;
whereas Lai testified in court on 20 November 2024 and pleaded not guilty; whereas most of the defendants had pleaded guilty in the hope of receiving reduced sentences and avoiding possible life imprisonment;
whereas political prisoners in HK remain imprisoned under difficult conditions throughout lengthy pre-trial detention periods, while many of them have serious health conditions, such as 77 year-old Lai;
whereas Hong Kong has dropped to place 135th out of 180 in 2024 World Press Freedom Index with the SNSO raising additional safety concerns for reporters;
Read the rest (7 paragraphs)
Strongly condemns the recent sentencing of pro-democracy activists under national security charges; urges the PRC and HK to repeal the NSL and the SNSO;
Urges the HK government to immediately and unconditionally release Jimmy Lai and the 45 pro-democracy activists, and drop all charges against them;
Condemns the extraterritorial application of the NSL and attempts by the Chinese authorities to target diaspora communities within the EU; calls on Member States to suspend extradition treaties with the PRC and HK;
Calls on the Council to introduce targeted sanctions under the EU global human rights sanctions regime against HK and PRC officials responsible for human rights violations in HK and revoking HK’s favourable treatment deriving from its status as a separate customs territory from the PRC;
Reiterates its calls on the EEAS to adequately support the EU Office to HK in intensifying prison visits, trial observation, monitoring human rights by releasing public statements, and establishing a human rights focal point;
Calls on the HK authorities to enable journalists to report freely and calls on the EEAS to support freedom of press and independent journalism in HK;
Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the EU institutions, the Government and Parliament of the PRC, and the Chief Executive and the LegCo of the HKSAR.