European Lawmakers Call to Sanction Hong Kong Over Jimmy Lai
Live Mint-- European lawmakers have called for fresh sanctions on Hong Kong and Chinese officials over the prosecution of former media mogul Jimmy Lai, as the trial of the city’s top security law target enters its final stage. Members of European Parliament wrote that Hong Kong authorities should “immediately and unconditionally release all pro-democracy politicians.” They added in a resolution that was posted to their website Thursday sanctions should be imposed “for human rights violations.” Lai is taking the stand to defend himself against national security charges that could jail the 76-year-old for the rest of his life. Hong Kong authorities hit back at the European lawmakers’ criticism, calling accusations of humans rights abuses “groundless.” “We strongly condemn any suggestion of imposing unilateral sanctions on any officials,” a government spokesperson said in a statement late Thursday. European lawmakers called for Hong Kong’s favorable customs treatment to be revoked and the status of its economic trade office in Brussels to be reviewed.