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

The European Union estimated that the condemnation on Friday of “personalities” in favor of democracy in Hong Kong – for their peaceful participation in the demonstrations – “calls into question the will of China to respect its international commitments” and may affect “relations” between the supranational. block and the Asian giant.

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

Among the ten convicted 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 protests during the wave of anti-government protests that hit the city in 2019.

The most severe sentences are between 8 and 18 months, while in five cases suspended prison sentences ranging from 8 to 12 months have been handed down. These latest decisions follow two other sentences that took place on April 13, Massrali recalled.

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

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

Along with press mogul Martin Lee, one of Hong Kong’s best-known lawyers, lawyer Margaret Ng and activists Albert Ho and Leung Yiu-chung, among others, have been convicted.

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

Police had only allowed a rally in downtown Victoria Park that day, but organizers decided to continue with their original plan and the protest led to a march that defense lawyers justified in s’ ensuring that their customers intended to avoid the crowds.

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

The protests were part of a wave of anti-government protests that took place in Hong Kong in the second half of 2019 following a controversial extradition bill that several critical sectors of the government said opened the door. to residents. Hong Kong could be extradited to mainland China for trial.

After months of protests, Beijing withdrew the bill. But less than a year later, it passed a “security law” that deeply undermines the island’s autonomy and gives it broad powers to crack down on a variety of behavior that Beijing considers political crimes.

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

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

Under the law, Beijing’s central government can intervene in national security matters, especially during crises or if the matter is qualified as “complex.” Law opens door for defendants in major cases to appear in Chin courtsto continental, where guilty verdicts are usually obtained and penalties are severe.

With information from EFE

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