03:40Denmark: Hong Kong activist calls on EU to impose 'sanctions' on China
Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong called on the EU to use “multiple tools,” including sanctions and embargoes, against China’s “systematic violations of human rights.” Wong, who is the secretary-general of pro-democracy party Demosisto, was speaking from a video call at the Copenhagen Democracy Summit 2020, on Thursday.
“The EU has not fulfilled its responsibility by encouraging China to further expand is authoritarian rule in Xinjiang, Tibet, Taiwan, and Hong Kong,” said the opposition activist.
“The EU has multiple tools that it can make use of to discourage China from systematic violations of human rights. No matter imposing embargoes of all their goods and technology, imposing sanctions, legislation like Magnitsky Act and so on," he added.
The Magnitsky Act allows the US government to sanction those who it sees as human rights offenders. The UK foreign office ministers said they may use Magnitsky-style sanctions against Chinese officials, if Beijing goes ahead with their plans to impose new security laws in Hong Kong.
"It could be my last testimony while I'm still free. Yes, prosecuted and put behind bars under the sweeping security law. Our long march to democracy will be forced into a prolonged period of crackdown," said Wong.
The legislation, labelled as the "national security law," would outlaw activities related to secession, subversion, terrorism, and foreign interference. A recent statement issued by G7 foreign ministers called on China to reconsider the legislation.
"The plot is thickening, and time is running out in Hong Kong. We really call on the world to stand with us and realise that this fight is not only about Hong Kong," he stated in conclusion.
Joshua Wong rose to prominence during the Umbrella Movement in Hong Kong in 2014, and has continued his active role in dissent against mainland China throughout the most recent upheaval.
03:40Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong called on the EU to use “multiple tools,” including sanctions and embargoes, against China’s “systematic violations of human rights.” Wong, who is the secretary-general of pro-democracy party Demosisto, was speaking from a video call at the Copenhagen Democracy Summit 2020, on Thursday.
“The EU has not fulfilled its responsibility by encouraging China to further expand is authoritarian rule in Xinjiang, Tibet, Taiwan, and Hong Kong,” said the opposition activist.
“The EU has multiple tools that it can make use of to discourage China from systematic violations of human rights. No matter imposing embargoes of all their goods and technology, imposing sanctions, legislation like Magnitsky Act and so on," he added.
The Magnitsky Act allows the US government to sanction those who it sees as human rights offenders. The UK foreign office ministers said they may use Magnitsky-style sanctions against Chinese officials, if Beijing goes ahead with their plans to impose new security laws in Hong Kong.
"It could be my last testimony while I'm still free. Yes, prosecuted and put behind bars under the sweeping security law. Our long march to democracy will be forced into a prolonged period of crackdown," said Wong.
The legislation, labelled as the "national security law," would outlaw activities related to secession, subversion, terrorism, and foreign interference. A recent statement issued by G7 foreign ministers called on China to reconsider the legislation.
"The plot is thickening, and time is running out in Hong Kong. We really call on the world to stand with us and realise that this fight is not only about Hong Kong," he stated in conclusion.
Joshua Wong rose to prominence during the Umbrella Movement in Hong Kong in 2014, and has continued his active role in dissent against mainland China throughout the most recent upheaval.