Hong Kong: Statement by the High Representative

The Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region adopted the ‘Safeguarding National Security Bill’ on 19 March.

The European Union is concerned about this legislation’s potential impact on the rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong.

The ‘Safeguarding National Security Bill’ could exacerbate the erosion of fundamental freedoms and political pluralism in Hong Kong brought about, in particular, by the National Security Law adopted on 30 June 2020. Moreover, the bill has the potential to significantly affect the work of the European Union’s Office, the European Union Member States’ Consulates-General, and could impact European Union citizens, organisations and companies in Hong Kong. This also raises questions about Hong Kong’s long-term attractiveness as an international business hub.

The bill’s sweeping provisions and broad definitions, specifically in relation to foreign interference and state secrets, appear as particular concerns. The significantly increased penalties provided for in the Bill, its extraterritorial reach and its - at least partial - retroactive applicability are also deeply worrying.

The European Union will continue to assess the implications of Hong Kong’s national security legislation and urges the Hong Kong authorities to protect the ability of the people of Hong Kong to exercise their rights and freedoms. The European Union further calls on the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities to strengthen confidence in the Special Administrative Region’s high degree of autonomy under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle, in line with the Basic Law and with international commitments by which they are bound.