The European Parliament adopted on 25 April a resolution denouncing Hong Kong authorities’ “obstructions to trial monitoring”, after RSF representative Aleksandra Bielakowska was detained, searched, and questioned for six hours at Hong Kong’s international airport before being deported from the territory. Bielakowska was originally on a mission to monitor a hearing in the trial of Jimmy Lai, Apple Daily founder. 

The European Parliament also called on authorities to “immediately and unconditionally release and drop all charges against Jimmy Lai” and Andy Li, a key “witness” in Lai’s trial who was reportedly tortured and is believed to be forcibly held in a psychiatric institution. The resolution also highlights the new domestic National Security Law, which is “undermining the freedom of the press,” and “calls on the authorities to stop harassing and prosecuting journalists.”

“We welcome the adoption of this much-needed resolution, which highlights the recent blatant violations on press freedom by the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities, including the regrettable arrest and deportation of an RSF representative. It is now paramount that all democracies supporting the principle of right to information build up pressure on the regime to restore full press freedom in Hong Kong and mainland China.”