The Co-Chairs of the European Parliament’s informal Hong Kong Watch Group have issued a joint statement concerning the disqualification of four pro-democracy Hong Kong legislators:
“As Co-Chairs of the European Parliament’s informal Hong Kong Watch Group, we strongly denounce the disqualification of four Hong Kong legislators from the Democratic camp by Beijing authorities. This move and the explanations that have been given unambiguously signal that the Chinese Communist Party leadership from Beijing is not willing to accept any democratic opposition in Hong Kong, even if it is fully legitimated by popular vote. We express our strong solidarity with the Democratic legislators concerned and with their colleagues that have resigned from LegCo collectively in protest. Hong Kong’s Basic Law, the will of Hong Kongers and international conventions are on their side, whereas Beijing does not even pretend to respect all of these anymore.
A Hong Kong Legislative Council, that has its composition determined by Beijing instead of through democratic choice of Hong Kong citizens, lacks legitimacy as will an election as the one promised for autumn 2021 in which the voters would not have a real choice.
We call upon the leaders of the European Union and its Member States to strongly denounce these developments and ensure that the trampling upon international agreements and on Hong Kong’s autonomy and freedoms by the People’s Republic of China has clear consequences. We will continue to stand with the people of Hong Kong in their defence of the democratic character of Hong Kong.”
Signed:
Miriam Lexmann MEP (EPP, Slovakia)
Reinhard Bütikofer MEP (Greens/EFA, Germany)
