EU Member States announce Hong Kong visa measures and sensitive export ban

Today the European Union Member States agreed a package of measures which will be introduced at an EU and Member State level to respond to the imposition of the draconian National Security Law in Hong Kong. This follows similar measures introduced by the USA, Australia, Canada, and the UK, to support the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong.

The package of measures announced include introducing export bans on equipment and technologies used for law enforcement, increasing scholarships for Hong Kong students to study in Europe, and a review of asylum and visa arrangements for Hong Kongers, as well as extradition arrangements.

Commenting on the announcement, Benedict Rogers, Hong Kong Watch’s co-founder and Chair, said:

“After weeks spent rallying international opposition to the National Security Law and encouraging like-minded countries to join an International Lifeboat campaign to ensure every Hong Konger in need of a lifeline has one, Hong Kong Watch welcomes the announcement of this package of measures by EU Members to support the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong.

We hope that this package of measures is the first step in the EU reassessing its relationship with the Communist Party of China, and individual Member States will consider going further by working with other countries to undertake diplomatic measures, targeted sanctions, and reviewing their extradition treaties, as part of a coordinated and comprehensive response to Beijing’s flagrant breach of the Joint Declaration."

For further information about Hong Kong Watch’s International Lifeboat Campaign:

https://www.hongkongwatch.org/international-lifeboat-campaign