EP resolutions
Conviction and imminent sentencing of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong (22 January 2026)
Parliament condemns in the strongest terms the Hong Kong authorities' arbitrary prosecution of pro-democracy activist and British citizen Jimmy Lai. MEPs fear that the life of the 78-year-old, who has been held for more than 1,800 days in solitary confinement, is in danger. They warn that Lai's prosecution, which could result in life imprisonment, is an instance of state security laws being used to eliminate independent media, free speech and political opposition in Hong Kong.
MEPs call on Member States to suspend extradition treaties with China and Hong Kong and ask the Commission to initiate the suspension of Hong Kong's status under the World Trade Organization. They urge the Council to adopt sanctions under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime against Chief Executive John Lee and all officials responsible for the crackdown on freedoms.
The resolution was adopted on 22 January 2026 by 503 votes in favour and 9 against, with 100 abstentions.
MEPs call on Member States to suspend extradition treaties with China and Hong Kong and ask the Commission to initiate the suspension of Hong Kong's status under the World Trade Organization. They urge the Council to adopt sanctions under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime against Chief Executive John Lee and all officials responsible for the crackdown on freedoms.
The resolution was adopted on 22 January 2026 by 503 votes in favour and 9 against, with 100 abstentions.
10th anniversary of the detention of jailed Swedish publisher Gui Minhai in China (9 October 2025)
Parliament calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Chinese-born Swedish publisher Gui Minhai. MEPs note with deep concern the forthcoming 10th anniversary of his abduction and detention and reiterate their strongest condemnation.
The case of Gui Minhai is representative of a pattern of violations of fundamental freedoms by Chinese authorities, MEPs say, including against human rights defenders, journalists, artists and ethnic and religious minorities.
Respect for human rights, freedom of expression and press freedom must be at the core of EU-China relations, MEPs add. They call on the EEAS, the Commission and the Member States to continue raising Gui Minhai's case at all levels of EU-China relations and ensure the protection of EU citizens abroad.
The resolution was adopted on 9 October 2025 by 546 votes in favour, 3 votes against, with 44 abstentions.
The case of Gui Minhai is representative of a pattern of violations of fundamental freedoms by Chinese authorities, MEPs say, including against human rights defenders, journalists, artists and ethnic and religious minorities.
Respect for human rights, freedom of expression and press freedom must be at the core of EU-China relations, MEPs add. They call on the EEAS, the Commission and the Member States to continue raising Gui Minhai's case at all levels of EU-China relations and ensure the protection of EU citizens abroad.
The resolution was adopted on 9 October 2025 by 546 votes in favour, 3 votes against, with 44 abstentions.
Tackling China's critical raw materials export restrictions (10 July 2025)
In a resolution adopted on Thursday 10 July 2025, Parliament set out its concerns about Chinese export restrictions on critical raw materials.
In a resolution, adopted by 523 votes in favour, 75 against and with 14 abstentions, Parliament says China's action is unjustified and is intended to be coercive given the country's quasi-monopolistic position. MEPs stress the need for the EU to identify, operationalise and strengthen areas it holds critical advantages over China in essential goods and technologies. They are deeply concerned about Chinese demands for export permit applicants to disclose sensitive data. The Commission and member states must accelerate the implementation of the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), MEPs say. The CRMA aims to ensure the EU has secure, diversified and sustainable access to raw materials.
In a resolution, adopted by 523 votes in favour, 75 against and with 14 abstentions, Parliament says China's action is unjustified and is intended to be coercive given the country's quasi-monopolistic position. MEPs stress the need for the EU to identify, operationalise and strengthen areas it holds critical advantages over China in essential goods and technologies. They are deeply concerned about Chinese demands for export permit applicants to disclose sensitive data. The Commission and member states must accelerate the implementation of the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), MEPs say. The CRMA aims to ensure the EU has secure, diversified and sustainable access to raw materials.
Violations of religious freedom in Tibet (8 May 2025)
MEPs strongly condemn China's repressive assimilation policies and violations of human rights, which seek to eliminate Tibet's religious and cultural traditions and heritage. They express deep concern regarding the death in suspicious circumstances of Tulku Hungkar Dorje in March 2025 in Vietnam and call for an immediate, independent and transparent investigation, with international oversight, access to evidence and witnesses, and the immediate return of his remains.
Parliament also condemns the transnational repression practices of the Chinese authorities and their interference in the selection of Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leaders, including the Dalai Lama. It calls on the EU to impose sanctions on officials and entities responsible for human rights violations in Tibet.
The resolution was adopted by 478 votes in favour, 30 votes against and 41 abstentions.
Parliament also condemns the transnational repression practices of the Chinese authorities and their interference in the selection of Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leaders, including the Dalai Lama. It calls on the EU to impose sanctions on officials and entities responsible for human rights violations in Tibet.
The resolution was adopted by 478 votes in favour, 30 votes against and 41 abstentions.
Hong Kong, notably the cases of Jimmy Lai and the 45 activists recently convicted under the national security law (28 November 2024)
The Hong Kong government must immediately and unconditionally release all pro-democracy politicians, activists and journalists sentenced on national security charges, including Jimmy Lai and Chung Pui-Ken, and drop all charges against them, MEPs say.
The National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, which constitute a serious violation of international law, fundamental freedoms and rule of law in Hong Kong, must be repealed, they add. Parliament also condemns the extraterritorial application of the National Security Law and the increasing repression by Chinese and Hong Kong authorities aimed at diaspora communities in the EU.
MEPs urge the Council to review its 2020 conclusions on Hong Kong and impose sanctions on Hong Kong and Chinese officials responsible for human rights violations.
The resolution was adopted by 473 votes for, 23 against, and 98 abstentions.
The National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, which constitute a serious violation of international law, fundamental freedoms and rule of law in Hong Kong, must be repealed, they add. Parliament also condemns the extraterritorial application of the National Security Law and the increasing repression by Chinese and Hong Kong authorities aimed at diaspora communities in the EU.
MEPs urge the Council to review its 2020 conclusions on Hong Kong and impose sanctions on Hong Kong and Chinese officials responsible for human rights violations.
The resolution was adopted by 473 votes for, 23 against, and 98 abstentions.
The misinterpretation of UN resolution 2758 by the People’s Republic of China and its continuous military provocations around Taiwan (24 October 2024)
Parliament condemns China's continued military provocations against Taiwan and firmly rejects any unilateral change to the status-quo in the Taiwan Strait.
These attempts, particularly by means of force or coercion, will not be accepted and will incur a decisive and firm reaction, warn MEPs. In a resolution adopted by 432 votes in favour, 60 against and 71 abstentions on Thursday 24 October 2024, they condemn China's unwarranted military exercises of 14 October and continued military provocations against Taiwan, stressing that the military build-up changes the power balance in the Indo-Pacific. Parliament also strongly rejects China's attempts to distort history and international rules and underlines that UN resolution 2758 does not take a position on Taiwan.
The EU remains committed to its 'One China' policy as the political foundation of EU-China relations, supporting initiatives that foster dialogue and confidence-building, stresses the text.
These attempts, particularly by means of force or coercion, will not be accepted and will incur a decisive and firm reaction, warn MEPs. In a resolution adopted by 432 votes in favour, 60 against and 71 abstentions on Thursday 24 October 2024, they condemn China's unwarranted military exercises of 14 October and continued military provocations against Taiwan, stressing that the military build-up changes the power balance in the Indo-Pacific. Parliament also strongly rejects China's attempts to distort history and international rules and underlines that UN resolution 2758 does not take a position on Taiwan.
The EU remains committed to its 'One China' policy as the political foundation of EU-China relations, supporting initiatives that foster dialogue and confidence-building, stresses the text.
The cases of unjustly imprisoned Uyghurs in China, notably Ilham Tohti and Gulshan Abbas (10 October 2024)
China must immediately and unconditionally release Ilham Tohti, 2019 Sakharov Prize laureate, and Gulshan Abbas, as well as all those arbitrarily detained in China, MEPs say. They strongly condemn the human rights violations against Uyghurs and people in Tibet, Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China.
The resolution demands that all internment camps be closed and denounces abusive policies, intense surveillance, forced labour, sterilisation, birth prevention measures and the destruction of the Uyghur identity, which amount to crimes against humanity and constitute a serious risk of genocide. MEPs welcome the EU's forced labour regulation and call on businesses operating in China to comply with the human rights due diligence obligations.
The resolution was adopted by 540 votes for, 23 against, and 47 abstentions.
The resolution demands that all internment camps be closed and denounces abusive policies, intense surveillance, forced labour, sterilisation, birth prevention measures and the destruction of the Uyghur identity, which amount to crimes against humanity and constitute a serious risk of genocide. MEPs welcome the EU's forced labour regulation and call on businesses operating in China to comply with the human rights due diligence obligations.
The resolution was adopted by 540 votes for, 23 against, and 47 abstentions.
The new security law in Hong Kong and the cases of Andy Li and Joseph John (25 April 2024)
The resolution strongly condemns the adoption of the Safeguarding National Security Ordonnance (SNSO) in Hong Kong, expanding the National Security Law (NSL) imposed by China, and urges China and Hong Kong to repeal both laws.
MEPs are appalled by the shutting down of pro-democracy political forces, civil society, news outlets and the arrest of over 200 people since the adoption of NSL. They urge the Hong Kong government to immediately and unconditionally release Andy Li, Joseph John, Jimmy Lai, all other pro-democratic activists, and drop all charges against them.
They demand the Council review its 2020 Conclusions on Hong Kong and adopt sanctions under the EU global human rights sanctions regime against Chief Executive John Lee and all officials responsible for the crackdown on freedoms in Hong Kong.
The resolution was adopted on 25 April 2024 by a show of hands.
MEPs are appalled by the shutting down of pro-democracy political forces, civil society, news outlets and the arrest of over 200 people since the adoption of NSL. They urge the Hong Kong government to immediately and unconditionally release Andy Li, Joseph John, Jimmy Lai, all other pro-democratic activists, and drop all charges against them.
They demand the Council review its 2020 Conclusions on Hong Kong and adopt sanctions under the EU global human rights sanctions regime against Chief Executive John Lee and all officials responsible for the crackdown on freedoms in Hong Kong.
The resolution was adopted on 25 April 2024 by a show of hands.
The ongoing persecution of Falun Gong in China, notably the case of Mr Ding Yuande (18 January 2024)
MEPs demand the immediate and unconditional release of Mr Ding Yuande and all Falun Gong practitioners in China. They strongly condemn the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, and other minorities, including Uyghurs and Tibetans by the People's Republic of China (PRC). They call for the PRC to end its domestic and transnational surveillance, control and suppression of religious freedom.
MEPs call on the EU and member states to support and facilitate an international investigation into the persecution of Falun Gong, and to raise the persecution of religious minorities with the Chinese authorities. Member states should suspend extradition treaties with the PRC, MEPs add, and use national sanctions regimes and the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime (EUGHRSR) against all perpetrators, as well as entities that have contributed to the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China and abroad.
The text was adopted on 18 January 2024 by a show of hands.
MEPs call on the EU and member states to support and facilitate an international investigation into the persecution of Falun Gong, and to raise the persecution of religious minorities with the Chinese authorities. Member states should suspend extradition treaties with the PRC, MEPs add, and use national sanctions regimes and the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime (EUGHRSR) against all perpetrators, as well as entities that have contributed to the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China and abroad.
The text was adopted on 18 January 2024 by a show of hands.
The abduction of Tibetan children and forced assimilation practices through Chinese boarding schools in Tibet (14 December 2023)
Parliament strongly condemns the repressive assimilation policies in place throughout China, especially the boarding school system in Tibet that seeks to eliminate the distinct linguistic, cultural, and religious traditions among Tibetans and other minorities, such as Uyghurs. MEPs call for the immediate abolition of this authoritarian system imposed on children in Tibet and the practice of family separations as highlighted by United Nations experts, while urging the Chinese authorities to allow the establishment of private Tibetan schools. The text recalls the importance of the EU raising the issue of human rights violations in China, particularly the situation in Tibet, at every political and human rights dialogue with the Chinese authorities.
The resolution was adopted on 14 December 2023 by 477 votes in favour, 14 against with 45 abstentions.