Statement on the Sentencing of 45 Democracy Activists in Hong Kong
We, the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), thoroughly condemn the sentencing of 45 pro-democracy politicians and activists in Hong Kong and denounce their convictions as a travesty of justice.
These 45 men and women are suffering political persecution for organising a democratic primary election. This is clear evidence, if any more were needed, of the precipitous decline in the rule of law in Hong Kong. No credible system would countenance such ludicrously harsh sentences for people who merely wanted to vote.
We abhor the prolonged arbitrary detention of these courageous individuals, together with the abuse of court procedures that have been weaponised by the authorities to convict them.
On this tragic day, we renew our call for our governments to:
Review and revise their relationships with the Hong Kong Special Administration Region to reflect the current political situation in Hong Kong, including, but not limited to, reviewing the privileges the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices enjoy as a result of the “One Country, Two Systems” framework.
Take decisive steps to hold those responsible for eroding fundamental freedoms to account, including the imposition of targeted sanctions.
Urgently repeal any and all existing extradition treaties with Hong Kong and the PRC to protect dissidents abroad.
Signed:
Fatmir Mediu MP, Albania
Senator Deborah O’Neill, Australia
Senator James Paterson, Australia
Senator David Fawcett, Australia
Senator Centa Rek, Bolivia
Adi Kalem MP, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Dr. Sanela Klarić MP, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Garnett Genuis MP, Canada
Prof. Irwin Cotler, Canada
John McKay MP, Canada
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe MP, Canada
James Bezan MP, Canada
Judy Sgro MP, Canada
Kevin Vuong MP, Canada
Senator Pavel Fischer, Czechia
Hayato Okamura MP, Czechia
Morten Messerschmidt MP, Denmark
Bernard Guetta MEP, European Parliament
Miriam Lexmann MEP, European Parliament
Engin Eroglu MEP, European Parliament
Hilde Vautmans MEP, European Parliament
Markéta Gregorová MEP, European Parliament
Rasa Jukneviciene MEP, European Parliament
Constance Le Grip MP, France
Senator Olivier Cadic, France
Michael Brand MdB, Germany
Senator Malcolm Byrne, Ireland
Senator Michael McDowell, Ireland
Žygimantas Pavilionis MP, Lithuania
Emanuelis Zingeris MP, Lithuania
Jan Paternotte MP, The Netherlands
Tom van der Lee MP, The Netherlands
Ingrid Leary MP, New Zealand
Joseph Mooney MP, New Zealand
Fatmir Bytyqi MP, North Macedonia
Guri Melby MP, Norway
Senator Gustavo Leite, Paraguay
Alexandru Muraru MP, Romania
Dobrica Veselinović MP, Serbia
Councillor Elisabet Lann, Sweden
Joar Forssell MP, Sweden
Magnus Berntsson MP, Sweden
Niels Paarup-Petersen MP, Sweden
Nicolas Walder MP, Switzerland
Chan Gau-tzu MP, Taiwan
Fan Yun MP, Taiwan
Abdoulie Ceesay MP, The Gambia
Peter Kenilorea Jr MP, The Solomon Islands
Mykola Kniazhytskyi MP, Ukraine
Oleksandr Merezhko MP, Ukraine
Oleksiy Goncharenko MP, Ukraine
Volodymyr Ariev MP, Ukraine
Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP, United Kingdom
Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws, United Kingdom
Alex Sobel MP, United Kingdom
Lord Alton of Liverpool, United Kingdom
Baroness Bennet of Manor Castle, United Kingdom
Blair McDougall MP, United Kingdom
Chris Law MP, United Kingdom
Marie Rimmer MP, United Kingdom
Daniel Molokele MP, Zimbabwe
Stewart McDonald, Alumni Council