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Thank you, President, and Honourable Members,

In June 2020, Beijing imposed the National Security Law on Hong Kong. Since then, we have witnessed a dramatic decline of the rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong.

Hundreds of opposition politicians, journalists and civil society activists have been arrested. Most independent media outlets were forced to close. Many civil society organisations were disbanded.

The trials against Jimmy Lai and against the pro-democracy politicians and activists, known as the “Hong Kong 47”, are emblematic of the erosion of democracy and fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong. Both cases further undermine confidence in the rule of law – a cornerstone of Hong Kong’s uniqueness and attractiveness as an international business hub.  

Last week, 45 of the “Hong Kong 47” were sentenced to long prison terms, ranging from four to ten years. All they had done was organise and participate in a primary election. Criminalising such peaceful and constitutional political activity constitutes a breach of Hong Kong’s international commitments, and it is yet another blow to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.

Jimmy Lai has been imprisoned for almost four years. He is being prosecuted for his support for freedom of expression and democracy in Hong Kong. The independent newspaper Apple Daily, that he founded, was forced to shut down in 2021. This is a striking example of the clampdown on the free and independent press in Hong Kong.  

The European Union, through its Office in Hong Kong and Member States’ representations on the ground, has closely followed the trials against the “Hong Kong 47” and Jimmy Lai, including by regularly attending the court hearings. The European Union has issued statements on both cases and raised its concerns in meetings with Chinese and Hong Kong authorities.  

You can rest assured that the European Union will continue to closely monitor the situation in Hong Kong, in particular the application of national security legislation and its impact on the exercise of rights and freedoms. The European Union will continue to call on China and Hong Kong to adhere to the Sino-British Joint Declaration, the Hong Kong’s Basic Law, respect international commitments and preserve the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ principle.

Thank you.

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