European Parliament adopts resolution on Hong Kong press freedom in response to Apple Daily closure
- Measures are not binding, but are a set of recommendations to the European Commission and the Council of the European Union
- The resolution urges the EU to do more to help journalists and pro-democracy camp politicians and activists to settle in the bloc
The European Parliament has adopted a broad new resolution on Hong Kong, advocating tough measures be taken over the government’s crackdown on the city’s press freedom.
The 28-point resolution passed with broad support in the plenary session in Strasbourg on Thursday, with 578 members of Parliament voting to adopt it and 29 voting against it; 73 abstained.
The vote followed a debate in which a procession of MEPs took aim at Beijing’s tightening of the screw in Hong Kong, particularly in response to the closure of the Apple Daily.
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Nor is it at all certain that the European Commission or Council of the European Union will take them on board. Previous calls to action on Hong Kong, including sanctions on top officials, have gone unheeded.