US and EU condemn arrests of pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong

US and EU condemn arrests of pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong

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Hundreds of people gathered in front of a Hong Kong court on Monday after 47 pro-democracy activists were accused of repressing national security – arrests that led to the condemnation of Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the European Union. .

The 47 were among more than 50 arrested in January and face charges of “conspiracy to commit subversion” under a draconian national security law imposed by the Chinese Communist government, designed to stifle dissent.

They were accused of organizing an unofficial primary vote last July to choose candidates for the 2020 legislative elections, which were postponed because of the coronavirus.

Hong Kong officials said the intention of the vote was to “topple” the government.

Pro-democracy protesters protest in front of the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts in Hong Kong during a hearing for 47 opposition activists accused of violating the city's national security law on March 1, 2021.
Pro-democracy protesters protest in front of the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts in Hong Kong during a hearing for 47 opposition activists accused of violating the city’s national security law on March 1, 2021.
Paul Yeung / Bloomberg via Getty Images

Blinken called for the release of the 47 Hong Kong protesters.

“We condemn the arrest and charges brought against pan-democratic candidates in the Hong Kong elections and call for their immediate release. Political participation and freedom of expression should not be crimes. The USA is with the people of Hong Kong ”, he said in a post on Twitter on Sunday.

Pro-democracy supporters protesting outside the West Kowloon courthouse in Hong Kong on March 1, 2021.
Pro-democracy supporters protesting outside the West Kowloon courthouse in Hong Kong on March 1, 2021.
Peter Parks / Getty

The EU said the arrests make it “clear that legitimate political pluralism will no longer be tolerated in Hong Kong,” said spokeswoman Nabila Massrali in a statement.

“The EU calls on the Hong Kong and Beijing authorities to respect their commitments to fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, enshrined in the Basic Law and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The EU calls for the immediate release of detainees, ”he added.

The EU said that prisons do
The EU said the arrests make it “clear that legitimate political pluralism will no longer be tolerated in Hong Kong,” said spokeswoman Nabila Massrali in a statement.
Anthony Kwan / Getty Images)

The outrage at the way China is dealing with Hong Kong comes at a time when a new Gallup poll, released on Monday, shows that Americans’ opinions about China have dropped to historic lows.

Americans’ favorability ratings for China hit a record low of 20 percent – down 13 percentage points from the previous year’s 33 percent.

The outrage at China's political handling of Hong Kong comes at a time when a new Gallup poll shows that Americans' opinions about China have dropped to historic levels.
The outrage at China’s political treatment of Hong Kong comes at a time when a new Gallup poll shows that Americans’ opinions about China have dropped to historic levels.
Vincent Yu / AP

The 20 percent was the lowest since the 33 percent favorability rate recorded in 1997 and the 34 percent in 1989 after the Chinese government’s crackdown on demonstrators in Tiananmen Square.

Wired Poles

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