EU has agreed conclusions to take its announced sanctions measures over Hong Kong. Still needs to get through a written procedure expiring Tue evening. Conclusions call for national asylum, visa, residence & migration measures, further limiting exports of sensitive equipment-1-
and technologies which can be used for internal repression, interception of internal comms or cyber-surveillance; explore scholarships for HK students, univs; ensuring observation of trials of pro-democracy activitists; reviewing impact of security law on extradition; -2-
freezing any negotiations on any new initiatives with HK; discussing at EU level risks of national sec. law on EU citizens; engaging and supporting HK civil society. EU warns will be closely watching Sep elections to see if organised in freedom, matching Basic Law commitments-3-
Clear hint more action could follow. "The council requests the High Rep., in consultation with the Member states, to review the implementation of the national sec. law, its effects on rights & freedoms & the business environment in Hong Kong & the impact of..." -4-
"the EU response package before the end of the year." EU notes its concerns relate both to the substance of national security law and "the process by which it was adopted." Calls it "extensive erosion of rights & freedoms" supposed to be protected until 2047. -5-
Hearing high confidence this initiative - another Franco-German co-ordination - will face no last minute hurdles.
