Hong Kong slams EU report claiming ‘deterioration of fundamental freedoms’ in the city
Hong Kong authorities have hit back against a European Union (EU) report that described what it called “continuous erosions” in the city’s political freedoms and autonomy. The annual report on Hong Kong, issued on Tuesday by the European Commission and the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, highlighted a “continued deterioration of […]
The European Union has criticized Hong Kong authorities for what it describes as "continuous erosions" of fundamental freedoms in the city. In its annual report, the EU noted a "deterioration of fundamental freedoms" primarily due to the Hong Kong government's focus on national security since the imposition of the National Security Law five years ago.
The HKSAR government strongly rejected the EU's allegations, stating in a lengthy rebuttal that sovereignty and international law permit a state to enact laws safeguarding national security. The EU report highlighted ongoing legal cases against pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai, Tiananmen vigil organizers, and student protest leader Joshua Wong, among others, as evidence of the erosion of freedoms.
The report also raised concerns over the "extra-territorial application of the national security law" through bounties on 15 overseas activists. Despite the EU's criticisms, Hong Kong authorities claimed that the city's national security laws meet human rights standards and have helped the city's economy thrive.
Written by urgent.news from Hong Kong Free Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
