German MPs Demand Support for Hong Kong Civil Society and Release of Political Prisoners

Protest against Hong Kong "Security Law"

On the third anniversary of the "Security Law" in Hong Kong, a group of German parliamentarians is calling for increased support for the local civil society and urging the release of political prisoners.

Germany's parliamentary group on Hong Kong criticizes the Chinese leadership for de facto abolishing the principle of "One Country, Two Systems" with the Security Law. They argue that Beijing's leadership has violated international law, according to a bipartisan statement.

The statement has been signed by 22 members of the German Bundestag from the Social Democratic Party (SPD), Free Democratic Party (FDP), Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU), and the Greens. They call on Hong Kong authorities to release all political prisoners and put an end to the "arbitrary persecution of Hong Kong's civil society." Furthermore, they urge the Chinese leadership to repeal the National Security Law that was implemented three years ago.

Greater pressure on Beijing demanded

The declaration has also been signed by Gyde Jensen, Deputy Parliamentary Group Leader of the FDP. She calls on the German government to exert more pressure on China's state and party leadership regarding Hong Kong. She emphasized that during future visits by cabinet members, it should be repeatedly made clear that the situation in Hong Kong has nothing to do with the rule of law, nor is it an "internal affair" of the People's Republic of China, Jensen told ARD.

The 22 members of the Bundestag are urging German security authorities to provide special protection for Hong Kong exiles residing in the Federal Republic. They highlight that even in Germany, activists, politicians, and journalists who have fled from Hong Kong are being monitored, pursued, and threatened by China's communist leadership.