MEPs deeply concerned about the new national security law in Hong Kong

Joint statement by Members of the European Parliament David McAllister and Reinhard Bütikofer on the new national security law in Hong Kong.

The Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, David McAllister (EPP, DE) and the Chair of the Delegation for relations with the People’s Republic of China, Reinhard Bütikofer (The Greens/EFA, DE), issued the following statement on Wednesday, 1 July:

“We deeply regret that the Chinese National People’s Congress adopted on 30 June 2020 the new national security law for Hong Kong.

The new law does seriously limit Hong Kong’s fundamental freedoms and does undermine the “one country, two systems” principle, both of which are very important for the European Union and for the international community. China’s decision to impose national security legislation on Hong Kong violates the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). It also goes against China’s international commitments, could undermine its reputation and could have a negative impact on business confidence.

In a resolution adopted on Friday, 19 June, by 565 votes to 34, with 62 abstentions, the European Parliament voted in favour of bringing China before the International Court of Justice over its decision to adopt a new national security law for semi-autonomous Hong-Kong.

We support Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal to consider swiftly a coordinated response with other international partners.”