MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the case of Gui Minhai, jailed publisher in China

22.11.2016 - (2016/2990(RSP))

with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 135 of the Rules of Procedure

Charles Tannock, Mark Demesmaeker, Notis Marias, Angel Dzhambazki, Monica Macovei, Ruža Tomašić, Raffaele Fitto, Jana Žitňanská, Valdemar Tomaševski, Arne Gericke on behalf of the ECR Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B8-1256/2016

B8‑1257/2016

European Parliament resolution on the case of Gui Minhai, jailed publisher in China

(2016/2990(RSP))

The European Parliament,

- having regards to its previous resolution of 4 February 2016 on the case of the missing book publishers in Hong Kong,

–  having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in China, in particular those of 16 December 2015 on EU-China relations and of 13 March 2014 on EU priorities for the 25th session of the UN Human Rights Council,

–  having regard to the statement of 7 January 2016 by the European External Action Service (EEAS) spokesperson on the disappearance of individuals associated with the Mighty Current publishing house in Hong Kong,

–  having regard to the EEAS statement of 29 January 2016 on EU concerns about the human rights situation in China,

-  having regard to the adoption of the new national security law by the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People’s Congress of 1 July 2015,

–  having regard to the EU-China dialogue on human rights launched in 1995 and the 34th round held in Beijing on 30 November and 1 December 2015,

–  having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 16 December 1966,

–  having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948,

–  having regard to Rules 135(5) and 123(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

 

A.Whereas the Chinese authorities issued instructions on 25 April 2015, called “Guangdong Action Plan”, to eradicate illegal publications and those containing sexual content, authorising excursions by Guangdong enforcers targeting specific authors, publishers and booksellers;

 

B.Whereas shortly after that, five booksellers: Lui Bo, Gui Minhai, Zhang Zhiping, Lin Rongji and Lee Po, selling books critical of Beijing, were abducted and detained by China’s mainland authorities; whereas Gui Minhai, born in China and holding Swedish citizenship, vanished from his home in Pattaya, Thailand, on 17 January 2016;

 

C.Whereas four of the detainees: Lui Bo, Zhang Zhiping, Lin Rongji and Lee Po, after their reappearances in public media and expressions of remorse for their “illegal book trading”, were eventually allowed to return from the mainland to Hong-Kong, whilst Gui Minhai, remains in custody, in a secret location and with no legal support;

 

D.Whereas on 17 January 2016 Gui Minhai released a media statement in mainland China, maintaining that he travelled voluntarily to mainland China and admitting to an earlier drunk driving conviction - a confession widely considered as forced and incredible; Whereas the detainee, being China-born Swedish citizen, faces difficulties in seeing Swedish diplomats;

 

E.Whereas the EU and China have engaged in human rights dialogues since 1995, and whereas both sides consider human rights to be an important part of their bilateral relations;

 

1.Notes as a positive development the release of four book publishers associated with the Causeway Bay Books: Lui Bo Zhang Zhiping, Lin Rongji and Lee Po;

 

2.Expresses its concerns about the whereabouts and well‑being of Gui Minhai; calls for his right to a fair trial and due process, including the right of communication and access to a lawyer, to be upheld;

 

3.Calls for the immediate release of all persons arbitrarily arrested for exercising their right to freedom of expression and publication in China;

 

4.Strongly condemns all cases of human rights violations, including rendition, forced confessions, secret detention, incommunicado custody and violations of the freedom of publication and expression;

 

5.Is of the opinion that there is no free country with no free media; recalls that the independence of media activists, book editors, journalists and bloggers must be safeguarded; in particular calls on the Chinese Government to stop restrictions on the use of the Internet;

 

6.Emphasises the European Union’s commitment to strengthening the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, fundamental freedoms and rights, in particular to transparency and freedom of speech and expression in all the countries of its bilateral relations; Believes that meaningful and open human rights dialogue, based on mutual respect, needs to be established;

 

7.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice‑President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy as well as the Government and Parliament of the People’s Republic of China.