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resolution motion, 22 April 2024

On The new security law in Hong Kong and the cases of Andy Li and Joseph John

Motion B-9-2024-0258 · (2024/2700(RSP))

on behalf of the ECR Group · Rapporteur: Anna Fotyga, Charlie Weimers, Hermann Tertsch, Assita Kanko, Adam Bielan, Witold Jan Waszczykowski, Anna Zalewska, Waldemar Tomaszewski, Andżelika Anna Możdżanowska

On Parliament’s site PDF Word

AI:In short

The resolution condemns the adoption of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) in Hong Kong, expressing concern over its broad provisions and increased penalties. It calls for the repeal of the NSL and SNSO, the release of political prisoners, and targeted sanctions against Hong Kong and PRC officials. It also condemns the alleged forced testimony of Andy Li and the sentencing of Joseph John, and calls for fair trials and the suspension of extradition treaties.

Key points

  1. Condemns Beijing's assault on Hong Kong's autonomy and freedoms, particularly the adoption of the SNSO, and expresses concern over its sweeping provisions, extraterritorial reach, retroactive applicability, and increased penalties.
  2. Calls on the authorities to repeal the NSL and SNSO and restore Hong Kong's autonomy and freedoms.
  3. Expresses deep concern over the alleged forced testimony by Andy Li and the charges against him, and calls for dropping politically motivated charges and granting fair trials.
  4. Calls for allowing diplomats and independent advocacy officers to observe trials and prison visits.
  5. Expresses deep concern about the sentencing of Joseph John and calls for the release of Joseph John, Jimmy Lai, and all other political prisoners in Hong Kong.
  6. Reiterates calls on the Council to introduce targeted sanctions under the EU global human rights sanctions regime against John Lee and other officials responsible for the crackdown.
  7. Condemns attempts by Chinese authorities to target Hong Kong diaspora communities in the EU and Beijing-critical Western politicians, and calls on EU member states to suspend extradition treaties with the PRC and Hong Kong.

Who is affected

  • Hong Kong authorities and Beijing: called to repeal laws and release prisoners.
  • EU Council: called to impose sanctions on Hong Kong and PRC officials.
  • EU member states: called to suspend extradition treaties with the PRC and Hong Kong.

Written by AI from the full text · every figure comes from the text · ¶ opens the paragraph · 4 Sept 2026 · Report a problem

Full text

Text 18 paragraphs

B90258/2024

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on The new security law in Hong Kong and the cases of Andy Li and Joseph John

(2024/2700(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–having regard to Rule 144 of its Rules of Procedure,

A.whereas on 19 March 2024, the Beijing controlled Hong Kong Legislative Council, after only 12 days of deliberation, unanimously voted to pass the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) under Article 23 of the Basic Law; whereas Hong Kong's Beijing-selected leader John Lee signed the law into force on 23 March;

B.whereas the SNSO expands on the Beijing-imposed National Security Law (NSL) by creating new offences, increasing penalties for existing offences and giving the government more sweeping powers of enforcement;

C.whereas Hong Kong activist Andy Li, who stands accused of three crimes under the NSL, took the stand in a Hong Kong court as a key prosecution witness in the trial of businessman and pro-democracy leader Jimmy Lai; whereas it is widely believed that his testimony has been obtained as a result of torture or other unlawful treatment;

D.whereas on 11 April 2024 Joseph John was sentenced to five years in jail by a Hong Kong court after being convicted of "secession" under the NSL; whereas John, who holds a dual Portuguese-Hong Kong nationality, was arrested for posting pro-independence and anti-China content on social media in 2022;

E. ; whereas on 10 April Reporters Without Borders representative Aleksandra Bielakowska was detained and deported while trying to enter Hong Kong to monitor the trial of Jimmy Lai on the invitation of the EU office to Hong Kong;

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1.Condemns Beijing’s ongoing assault on Hong Kong’s autonomy and its freedoms, notably the recent adoption of the SNSO; is particularly concerned about the sweeping provisions and broad definitions of the law, its extraterritorial reach, its retroactive applicability and the significantly increased penalties provided for in the bill;

Read the rest (6 paragraphs)

2.Calls on the authorities to repeal the NSL and the SNSO and to restore Hong Kong’s autonomy and freedoms;

3.Expresses deep concern over the alleged forced testimony by Andy Li in the case of Jimmy Lai and the charges he is facing under the NSL; calls on to drop the politically motivated charges against both, to grant them fair trials in line with international standards and to allow diplomats and independent advocacy officers to step up trial observation and prison visits;

4.Expresses deep concern about the sentencing of Joseph John; calls on the Hong Kong authorities to release Joseph John, Jimmy Lai and all other political prisoners in Hong Kong;

5.Reiterates its calls on the Council to introduce targeted sanctions under the EU global human rights sanctions regime against John Lee and all other Hong Kong and PRC officials responsible for the ongoing crackdown on human rights in Hong Kong;

6.Condemns attempts by the Chinese authorities to target Hong Kong diaspora communities within the EU and Beijing-critical Western politicians and public figures; reiterates its call on all EU Member States to suspend extradition treaties with the PRC and Hong Kong;

7.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Hong Kong Government and Legislative Council;