Two months on Hong Kong Watch calls on EU Member States to implement agreed measures, including suspending extradition and offering young Hong Kongers a lifeline

Today marks two months since EU Member States agreed to a package of measures at the EU Foreign Affairs Council to respond to the introduction of the National Security Law in Hong Kong.

The EU Council conclusions on 28th July restated the EU’s support for Hong Kong’s autonomy under the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ model and set out a coordinated package of measures to be implemented at the EU and Member State level, including:

-          ‘asylum, migration, visa and residence policy;

-          exports of specific sensitive equipment and technologies for end use in Hong Kong;

-          scholarships and academic exchanges involving Hong Kong students and universities;

-          support to civil society;

-          the operation of member states’ extradition arrangements and other relevant agreements with Hong Kong.’

Since the measures were agreed Germany has suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong and France has suspended negotiations regarding an extradition treaty with Hong Kong. No further action has been taken by EU Member States to implement the measures unanimously agreed at the EU Foreign Affairs Council.

Recognising the gap between the measures previously agreed and the lack of action by EU Member States in responding to the National Security Law, Hong Kong Watch is today calling on the EU to implement measures that would allow Hong Kongers to work and study in Europe as a lifeline and the suspension of remaining extradition treaties with Hong Kong as a matter of urgency.

Commenting on Hong Kong Watch’s call for action from EU Member States, Hong Kong Watch’s Director, Johnny Patterson, said:

“It has been two months since EU Members agreed a coordinated package of measures to help Hong Kong in response to the draconian National Security Law. During that time, we have seen the EU issue further statements of concern, but little in the way of the promised action.

Given the deteriorating human rights situation in Hong Kong, with each week bringing new arrests and new attempts by the Chinese Communist Party to destroy the city’s autonomy, rule of law, and freedom of the press, the growing gulf between rhetoric and promised action risks undermining the EU’s credibility when it comes to standing with the people of Hong Kong.

Today we are calling on EU Member States to stand by their commitment to human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, by implementing the packaged of measures unanimously agreed on 28th July as a matter of urgency, including the suspension of extradition treaties with Hong Kong and offering young Hong Kongers a lifeline to study and work in Europe.”