The European Parliament’s joint-resolution outlines a clear package of measures to respond to the crisis in Hong Kong
Today, the European Parliament has overwhelmingly passed a joint-resolution on Hong Kong which raises alarm at the rapid deterioration of the human rights situation, the undermining of the independence of the judiciary, the continued detention of pro-democracy activists, and condemns in the strongest terms possible the closure of Apple Daily newspaper and the arrest of journalists under the National Security Law.
The joint-resolution calls on the EU Commission and EU Member States to take a series of concrete actions to respond to the crisis in Hong Kong, including implementing travel bans and asset freezes on Hong Kong officials, the introduction of an EU lifeboat scheme for Hong Kongers and the issuing of emergency travel documents for journalists, EU support for the creation of a UN Special Rapporteur or Envoy for Hong Kong, and the suspension of extradition treaties between EU Member States and the People’s Republic of China.
European Parliamentarians also reiterated their position that they would not currently consider ratifying the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment, called for extending the scope of the European Endowment for Democracy to projects located in South-East Asia to support civil society and media, the expansion of Erasmus places covering academic and training places in Europe for Hong Kongers, and for EU Member States to reach out to EU based banks to release assets belonging to Hong Kong pro-democracy activists.
Commenting on the passing of the joint-resolution, Sam Goodman, Hong Kong Watch’s Senior Policy Advisor, said:
“We welcome this joint-resolution by the European Parliament which is united in its condemnation of Beijing’s assault on press freedom, the rule of law, and human rights in Hong Kong.
This joint-resolution outlines a clear package of measures that EU leaders should adopt to respond to the crisis in Hong Kong, which includes calls for Magnitsky sanctions against Hong Kong officials, the suspension of extradition treaties, and the urgent need for an EU-wide lifeboat scheme for Hong Kongers, as well as the issuing of emergency travel documents for journalists and the expansion of the European Endowment for Democracy to support Hong Kong civil society and media.
When it comes to the collapse of basic freedoms in Hong Kong, it is five minutes to midnight. The time has come for EU leaders to act on their statements of concern, by ensuring that Hong Kongers have a lifeline out of the city, that Beijing is held accountable for the destruction of Hong Kong's autonomy, and that free Chinese speaking media and those brave journalists have a future outside of Hong Kong.”