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Hong Kong: Statement by the spokesperson on the fifth anniversary of the National Security Law

European External Action Service (EEAS)

30.06.2025
Brussels, Belgium
EEAS Press Team

Today marks the fifth anniversary of the imposition of the Hong Kong National Security Law on 30 June 2020. The past five years have seen a continuous erosion of civil liberties in Hong Kong, and a severe restriction of the space for the political opposition and independent civil society.

As of today, 332 individuals have been arrested for national security-related offences. 165 individuals have been convicted under Hong Kong's national security legislation. The repressive use of the National Security Law has undermined confidence in the rule of law and Hong Kong's international reputation.

The European Union regrets that additional national security legislation (the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance and its subsidiary legislation) introduced new offenses, increased penalties and further empowered security authorities. Authorities continue to bring new charges against Hong Kong pro-democracy activists. The political opposition, rights-based civil society organisations, and independent media outlets and journalists continue to face political pressure and harassment. Prolonged trial proceedings and pre-trial detention, as well as the extra-territorial application of the National Security Law are of particular concern.

The European Union has a strong stake in the continued vitality, attractiveness and success of Hong Kong under "one country, two systems". The European Union wishes to continue forging business, trade, investment and people-to-people ties, attaching great importance to the preservation of Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy, in line with the Basic Law and international law commitments under the Sino-British Joint Declaration of 1984. The European Union urges the authorities to shift their emphasis towards reconciliation in Hong Kong society and again strengthen what has made Hong Kong so unique and successful by fostering openness, diversity and the respect for fundamental freedoms.