ExclusiveEU parliament mulling UN court action against China’s national security law for Hong Kong
- A draft resolution urges the EU to file suit with the International Court of Justice, contending that Beijing is violating Sino-British Joint Declaration
- While the 27 EU states would find it difficult to act on the motion, it demonstrates the union’s disapproval over Beijing’s legal move on Hong Kong
European Parliament members are planning to propose suing China in the United Nations’ highest court over its move to impose national security laws in Hong Kong, according to an internal draft seen by the South China Morning Post.
“The European Parliament calls on the EU and its member states to consider filing a case before the International Court of Justice, alleging that China’s decision to impose national security legislation on Hong Kong violates the Sino-British Joint Declaration” as well as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, according to the draft document, which is expected to be finished on Friday.
While the 27 EU member states would find it difficult to embark on the politically sensitive move – which will all but certainly result in an immediate, strong response from China – the draft motion demonstrates the union’s high level of disapproval over Beijing’s unprecedented legal action on Hong Kong.
Supported by the leading groups in the parliament, the draft resolution also calls for the European Union to follow Britain’s example and provide a “lifeboat policy” to those Hongkongers who wish to leave the city.
Britain has vowed to offer 3 million Hongkongers a path to British citizenship should Beijing impose the national security law.