Over 30 MEPs express concern over the arrest of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy politicians and advocates
On 22 April, over 30 members of the European Parliament wrote two open letters condemning the arrest of pro-democracy politicians and advocates in Hong Kong. The letters were sent to the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission (HRVP), Josep Borrell, and to Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam. They were initiated by Miriam Lexmann (EPP/Slovakia), a member of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) who visited Hong Kong during last year’s District elections.
Among the signatories were high profile MEPs such as the former Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius, the former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, the former Polish Ministers of Foreign Affairs Anna Fotyga and Radosław Sikorski, the Secretary-General of the European People’s Party Antonio López-Istúriz White, and Michael Gahler, the EPP Group Coordinator for Foreign Affairs.
Those arrested include the “father of the democracy movement” Martin Lee, who founded the Democratic Party of Hong Kong, the founder of the largest pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, Jimmy Lai, former chairman of the Democratic Party Albert Ho, the former chairman of the Labour Party Lee Cheuk-yan, barrister Margaret Ng and other current and former members of Hong Kong’s Legislative Council.
Miriam Lexmann said: ‘The arrests are a clear example of political prosecution, which follows a growing number of similar cases. It is significant that Members of the European Parliament have supported this initiative and, despite the difficulties we’re all facing as a result of the pandemic, stand in solidarity with the people of Hong Kong’, said Miriam Lexmann MEP.
The arrested politicians and activists have been charged with “unlawful assembly” under the Public Order Ordinance. The Public Order Ordinance has been repeatedly criticised by the United Nations for failing to comply with international human rights standards, because, as the United Nations Human Rights Committee has concluded, it can be “applied to restrict unduly enjoyment of the rights guaranteed in Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.”
According to Miriam Lexmann, ‘the letters addressed to the HRVP, urged the Council of the European Union to respond in the strongest possible way to this grave assault on Hong Kong’s freedoms, the rule of law and autonomy. The second letter to the Chief Executive of Hong Kong called for an immediate review of the events that led to the arrests on 18 April and ensure that the charges are dropped.’
According to the letter to the EU’s High Representative, continued disregard by Chinese and Hong Kong authorities for international obligations and the Basic Law and arrests of the peaceful advocates of democracy and the rule of law will impede EU-China relations. ‘Now when the Coronavirus pandemic has laid bare our vulnerabilities vis-à-vis China’s extensive foreign interests, we must continue to stand for our values and principles’, added Lexmann.
Benedict Rogers, Chair of Hong Kong Watch said: ‘These letters send a very strong message to the Hong Kong authorities that the arrest of some of Hong Kong's most respected pro-democracy leaders is unacceptable, and that what happens in Hong Kong matters to the international community. It is vital that the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission (HRVP), Josep Borrell, takes this seriously and works with EU member states to develop an urgent and robust response to the erosion of freedom, human rights, the rule of law and autonomy in Hong Kong. It is equally essential that Hong Kong's Chief Executive take note of this very clear message from the European Parliament and drop the charges against the 15 distinguished political figures.’