The European Parliament passes an emergency resolution condemning Hong Kong’s Article 23 legislation | Article 23 of the Basic Law | Jimmy Lai | Li Yuxuan

[The Epoch Times, April 26, 2024](Comprehensive report by Epoch Times reporter Chen Ting) On Thursday (April 25), the European Parliament passed an emergency resolution, strongly condemning the Hong Kong government’s adoption of the “Maintenance of National Security Ordinance” (i.e. the Basic Law) Article 23). The resolution urges the Hong Kong government to immediately and unconditionally release Jimmy Lai, Li Yuxuan, Huang Yancong and other Hong Kong democracy activists.

The resolution denounced that the “Maintenance of National Security Ordinance” that took effect in March “erased the last traces of Hong Kong’s basic freedoms” and expanded the “National Security Law” imposed by the CCP on Hong Kong. It called for the CCP and Hong Kong to repeal these two laws. .

The resolution also emphasized that the National Security Ordinance undermines press freedom in Hong Kong and called on the authorities to stop harassing and prosecuting journalists.

The resolution stated that since the implementation of the National Security Law in Hong Kong, more than 200 people have been arrested, resulting in the closure of democratic activities, civil society and the media in Hong Kong, which shocked members of the European Parliament.

The European Parliament also requires the Hong Kong government to immediately and unconditionally release Jimmy Lai, the founder of Apple Daily, Li Yuxuan, who has been detained in mainland China and Hong Kong, and Portugal, who was sentenced for making comments supporting Hong Kong independence and anti-China (Communist Party) on social platforms. Huang Yancong, a Hong Kong native, and other pro-democracy activists, and all charges against them were dropped.

The parliament also asked the Council of the European Union to sanction Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive Lee Ka-chiu and other officials who suppress freedoms.

Lawmakers also asked EU countries to suspend extradition agreements with China and Hong Kong to prevent Hong Kong people in Europe from being persecuted, and to introduce a lifeboat plan for Hong Kong activists and journalists at risk.

The resolution also condemned the Hong Kong authorities’ recent deportation of Polish citizen Aleksandra Bielakowska upon arrival in Hong Kong. Bai Olan is Reporters Without Borders’ advocacy specialist in Taipei and had planned to oversee Jimmy Lai’s trial.

MEP Miriam Lexmann said: “Article 23 is the final nail in the coffin of Hong Kong’s basic human rights and free society. Beijing and its minions in the Hong Kong government have destroyed the city’s freedoms.”

“What is happening in Hong Kong is both a vivid example of how totalitarian regimes operate and a warning to us all,” Laxman said. “Every day there are attempts to undermine our democratic system, including in this House. This is true. It exposes the Chinese Communist regime and its goals.”

“This is why we need urgent EU action on Hong Kong, especially to hold Chinese and Hong Kong officials accountable for undermining Hong Kong’s freedoms,” he said. “In addition, we need to strengthen the protection of our citizens, including dual nationals who are China’s (Chinese Communist Party’s) transnational oppression goals.”

Editor in charge: Ye Ziwei#