European Union warns China’s condemnations of pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong could affect its relations

The European Union has said Friday’s condemnation of “prominent figures” in favor of democracy in Hong Kong – for their peaceful participation in the protests – “calls into question China’s willingness to honor its international commitments” and could affect “relations” between supranational bloc and the Asian giant.

“These events in Hong Kong call into question China’s willingness to honor its international commitments, may undermine trust and affect EU-China relations.” said the spokesperson of the European External Action Service, Nabila Massrali.

Among the ten convicts is Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai, a prominent critic of the Beijing regime. Lai will spend 14 months in prison for organizing and participating in two unauthorized demonstrations during wave of anti-government protests that hit the city in 2019.

The harshest sentences are between 8 and 18 months, while in five cases there were sentences of between 8 and 12 months. These latest decisions follow two other sentences that took place on April 13, Massrali recalled.

“Prolonged imprisonment of some people for non-violent acts in the exercise of protected civil rights is another sign of the continuing decline of the democratic space and the erosion of fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong.”said the spokesman for the service led by EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Josep Borrell.

“The exercise of fundamental freedoms, including peaceful assembly, as guaranteed in the Hong Kong Basic Law and the Sino-British Joint Declaration, must be guaranteed.”A conchis Massrali.

In addition to the tycoon Martin Lee, one of Hong Kong’s best-known lawyers, Margaret Ng, a lawyer, and activists Albert Ho and Leung Yiu-chung, among others, were convicted.

On April 1, Lai and other activists were found guilty – or previously pleaded guilty – of organizing and participating in one of the pro-democracy protests that have been making headlines worldwide for months. The special event took place on August 18, 2019.

Police only authorized a rally in downtown Victoria Park that day, but organizers decided to continue the initial plan, and the demonstration led to a march that defense attorneys justified by making sure their clients intended to avoid the crowds.

Organizers said the August 18 demonstration brought together 1.7 million people.

These demonstrations were part of the wave of anti-government protests that took place in Hong Kong in the second half of 2019 following a controversial extradition bill that, according to several sectors critical of the government, would have opened the door of the people of Hong Kong. Hong Kong could be extradited to mainland China for trial there.

After months of protest, Beijing eliminated the bill. But less than a year later, it passed a “security law” that profoundly undermines the island’s autonomy and gives it broad powers to counter a variety of behaviors that Beijing considers political crimes.

Under the new law, damage to government buildings would be considered an act of subversion that deserves life in prison in “serious” cases. Transport sabotage would be a terrorist activity punishable by life imprisonment if it harms other people or causes significant damage to public or private property.

The four main offenses provided by law –separatism, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign powers– are ambiguously formulated and give the authorities extended power to attack activists who criticize the party, activists say.

Under the law, the Beijing central government can intervene in cases of national security, especially during crises or if the case is classified as “complex”. Law opens door for defendants in major cases to appear in Chinese courtson the mainland, where guilty verdicts are generally secured and punishments are severe.

With information from EFE

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