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President of the European Commission, Ms. Ursula Von Der Leyen

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President of the European Commission, Ms. Ursula Von Der Leyen President of the European Commission, Ms. Ursula von der Leyen President of the European Council, Mr. Charles Michel Members of the European Council High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice- President of the Commission, Mr. Josep Borrell Brussels, 26 May 2021 Subject: ‘Lifeboat Scheme’ for Hong Kongers We the undersigned Members of the European and national Parliaments, are writing to raise our concern about the deteriorating human rights situation in Hong Kong and to urge you to adopt and implement a ‘lifeboat scheme’ for Hong Kongers which will guarantee them a bespoke pathway to study and work in the European Union. In the recent months, we have seen Beijing continue its crackdown on the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong with the mass arrest and charging of 47 pro-democracy activists under the National Security Law, the introduction of electoral reform which would prevent pro-democracy parties from standing for election, and the passing of an Immigration Bill which would give the Chinese Government the power to restrict freedom of movement into and out of the city. With nearly every prominent pro-democracy voice in Hong Kong in jail, awaiting trial, or overseas in exile, it is clear that there is an increased need for the European Union to do more to assist and stand in solidarity with the people of Hong Kong. The European Parliament passed two joint resolutions on the human rights situation in Hong Kong in the last year (June 2020 & January 2021) in which parliamentarians called on the Commission and Council to introduce a lifeboat scheme for Hong Kongers. Following the introduction of the National Security Law in July 2020, the Foreign Affairs Council agreed a package of measures that included Member States reviewing ‘asylum, migration, visa and residence policy’ for Hong Kongers. Sadly, we have seen little in terms of movement from the Commission or the Council toward practically implementing a lifeboat scheme for Hong Kongers. At the same time the UK, Australia and Canada have now all opened bespoke schemes to offer Hong Kongers the opportunity to live and work in their respective countries. It cannot be right that we are leaving it to others to offer material support for Hong Kongers who are in need of a lifeline out of city. Similarly, the recent reports that one EU Member State has blocked other EU Member States from moving forward with a package of measures for Hong Kong, which would include reviewing asylum policies particularly for young Hong Kongers, is of great concern. We urge you not to allow the Council to become paralysed by narrow economic interests. We believe the continued crackdown on the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong, deserves a coordinated response from the Council and Commission that goes beyond simple statements and offers a lifeline out of the city for Hong Kongers who face the prospect of detention if they stay. This would send a clear signal to the Chinese Government that the EU will not be side-lined in its mission to defend democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. Yours sincerely, Engin Eroglu (European Parliament) Reinhard Bütikofer (European Parliament) Guy Verhofstadt (European Parliament) Miriam Lexmann (European Parliament) Hilde Vautmans (European Parliament) Raphaël Glucksmann (European Parliament) Mikuláš Peksa (European Parliament) David Lega (European Parliament) Rasa Juknevičienė (European Parliament) Andrius Kubilius (European Parliament) Kathleen Van Brempt (European Parliament) Brando Benifei (European Parliament) Svenja Hahn (European Parliament) Frédérique Dumas (France) Senator André Gattolin (France) Anne Genetet (France) Michael Brand (Germany) Gyde Jensen (Germany) Senator Pavel Fischer (Czechia) Jan Lipavský (Czechia) Uffe Elbaek (Denmark) David Josefsson (Sweden) Georges Dallemagne (Belgium) Dovilė Šakalienė (Lithuania) Helena Langšádlová (Czechia) Senator David Norris (Ireland) Margarete Bause (Germany) .
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