EU Lawmakers Denounce Worldwide Human Rights Abuses in Hong Kong, Iran, and Cambodia

MEPs have raised concerns over Hong Kong, notably the cases of Jimmy Lai and the 45 activists recently convicted under the national security law.

The Hong Kong government must, say Euro members, “immediately and unconditionally” release all pro-democracy politicians, activists, and journalists sentenced on national security charges and drop all charges against them.

These, they add, include Jimmy Lai and Chung Pui-Ken, and drop all charges against them, MEPs say.

The National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, which constitute a serious violation of international law, fundamental freedoms, and rule of law in Hong Kong, must be repealed, they add. Parliament also condemns the extraterritorial application of the National Security Law and the increasing repression by Chinese and Hong Kong authorities aimed at diaspora communities in the EU.

The growing and systematic repression of women in Iran

MEPs urge the Council to review its 2020 conclusions on Hong Kong and impose sanctions on Hong Kong and Chinese officials responsible for human rights violations. They condemn the exploitation of Hong Kong’s global trade position to evade international sanctions imposed on Russia, Iran, and North Korea, particularly through the supply of advanced technologies, trade in oil, and the provision of financial services. They also demand the revocation of Hong Kong’s favourable customs treatment and a review of the status of the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office in Brussels. The resolution was adopted by 473 votes for, 23 against, and 98 abstentions.

MEPs condemn the arbitrary detention of women in Iran, including Ahoo Daryaei, who removed her clothing and sat partially undressed as part of her protest in the courtyard of Tehran University on November 2, 2024. She was labelled “mentally unfit” and subjected to psychiatric confinement, a practice MEPs say amounts to torture. The resolution urges Iranian authorities to repeal discriminatory legislation against women and girls and to dismantle the ‘morality police’ and other repressive institutions.

They also demand the immediate and unconditional release of all women’s rights defenders and other victims of arbitrary detention, including EU citizens, and condemn the persecution of ethnic and religious minorities in Iran, like Bhá’ís women.

Reiterating its call on the Council to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation, Parliament also calls on the Iranian government to give unrestricted access to the UN Fact-Finding Mission and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran. The resolution was adopted by 562 votes for, 2 against, and 30 abstentions.

The shrinking space for civil society in Cambodia, in particular the case of the labour rights organisation CENTRAL. Parliament calls for an immediate end of repression and harassment of civil society and political prisoners in Cambodia, as well as their release, in a resolution adopted today. MEPs demand the EU to increase its support, including financial assistance, for Cambodian civil society.

They urge Cambodian authorities to amend the Trade Union Law and the Law on Associations and Non-Governmental Organisations (LANGO), in order for it to align with international human rights and labour standards to ensure the protection of workers and civil society.

MEPs emphasise that respect for human rights and safeguarding civil society freedoms must be prerequisites for economic cooperation, trade, and investment. They call on companies operating in the EU that source from Cambodia to conduct thorough human rights due diligence in their supply chains. The resolution also highlights the need to assess Cambodia’s eligibility for preferential trade tariffs under the “Everything but Arms” scheme based on the government’s compliance with human rights standards.

The resolution was adopted by 492 votes for, 5 against, and 102 abst