Resolution on the deteriorating situation of media freedom and freedom of expression in Hong Kong following the recent arrest of bookseller Leticia Wong and the convictions of Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung
The European Parliament adopted by 459 votes to 12, with 86 abstentions, a resolution on the deteriorating situation of media freedom and freedom of expression in Hong Kong following the recent arrest of bookseller Leticia Wong and the convictions of Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung.
The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, ECR, Renew and Greens/EFA groups.
Bookseller and former district councillor for the now disbanded Civic Party Leticia Wong and her husband were arrested on 24 June 2026 and accused of selling seditious materials under the National Security Law (NSL) introduced by China, and of money laundering. They could face between 7 and 21 years in prison. Hong Kong activists Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung were sentenced to seven years, and Albert Ho to over five years, in prison after being convicted under the NSL for organising annual vigils to commemorate the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. Jimmy Lai is serving a 20-year prison sentence in harsh conditions.
These prosecutions reflect the further dramatic deterioration of freedom of expression, media freedom and judicial independence in Hong Kong, following the introduction of the NSL in 2020 and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) in 2024. Since the beginning of June 2026, 401 people have been arrested for various national security crimes, and 182 convicted.
Parliament condemned the intensified dismantling of freedoms in Hong Kong, in particular freedom of expression, media freedom, and freedom of peaceful assembly and association, through the application of the NSL and the SNSO,
and called for their repeal. It also condemned the arrest of Leticia Wong, and the sentencing of Lee Cheuk-yan, Chow Hang-tung, Albert Ho and all other political prisoners.
In this regard, the Hong Kong authorities are urged to immediately and unconditionally release Wong, Lee, Chow, Ho, Lai and all others detained for exercising their fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression and assembly, and to drop all charges against them.
Parliament urged the EU Delegation to intensify diplomatic engagement and monitoring regarding the situation of Wong, Lee, Chow, Ho, Lai and related cases. The Council is urged to urgently adopt sanctions under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime against Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and all Hong Kong and Chinese officials responsible for the crackdown on freedoms in Hong Kong.
Lastly, all Member States are urged to suspend extradition treaties with China and to protect persecuted individuals in the EU from the risks of transnational repression.