Sanction assessment against the new Chief Executive of Hong Kong, John Lee
2.6.2022
Question for written answer E-002027/2022
to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Rule 138
David Lega (PPE)
On 8 May 2022, a group of hand‑picked Beijing loyalists chose Chinese mainland puppet, John Lee, as Hong Kong’s next Chief Executive. Lee was a security chief prior to his promotion to Hong Kong’s second‑in‑command in June 2021, and was involved in spearheading Hong Kong’s national security crackdown in response to the city’s widespread pro‑democracy movement in 2019.
Lee oversaw the rise in police brutality, including the torture and mistreatment of protesters and the arrest of more than 100 activists during the protests.
Parliament has passed a number of resolutions calling for targeted sanctions, including against the Hong Kong and People’s Republic of China officials responsible for the ongoing human rights crackdown, such as John Lee and the former Chief Executive of Hong Kong, Carrie Lam.
I would therefore like to ask the Vice‑President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy the following questions:
- 1.What assessment has been made of whether officials responsible for human rights violations in Hong Kong, such as John Lee, could be sanctioned under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime (EU Magnitsky Act)?
- 2.If no assessment has been conducted yet, will there be one?