Name: European politicians call for sanctions against China for human rights violations | DW News
Uploaded: 2021-01-29T21:00:37.000Z
Duration: 12 min 7 s
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On Monday, a committee of the German parliament, the Bundestag, heard a petition calling for sanctions against Chinese officials for violating human rights.

Glacier Kwong, a digital rights activist from Hong Kong now studying in Berlin, was one of the initiators of the petition that also calls on Germany to sue China in the International Court of Justice for its actions in Hong Kong.

D W correspondent Thomas Sparrow was at the Bundestag as Glacier Kwong arrived for the hearing.

Today is a big day for activists Glacier Kwong in Berlin.

In a few hours, German MPs will be discussing a petition she started which has been signed by over 50,000 people.

Yes, I'm very nervous because it will be the first time I'm speaking in front of Politan remembers.

Kwong wants Germany to doom or against human rights violations in Hong Kong.

What are the actions that you're expecting?

We are calling for individual sanctions against human rights violations that happened in Hong Kong and China were also asking for a life of scheme for Hong Kongers that are in need and we're also asking the government to call off the investment deal with China because that will damage Germany's commitment of values.

The German government's reaction has been weak.

Berlin has criticized China's policies, but the activists once more inside parliament Kwong gives a short speech on discusses the crisis with them.

The current situation in Hong Kong is dramatic and it's getting worse day by day.

Basic freedoms, rule of law, human rights are being deliberately and systematically destroyed by Beijing.

The passing off the national security law has unfortunately confirmed all the fears that existed.

Even the so called loyal opposition is now under attack.

One cannot help feeling that Beijing does not want any opposition in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong ah foreign ministry official is also there on defends.

The government's reaction following the Franco German initiative member states that have extradition treaties with Hong Kong, including US, have suspended these extradition treaties common suspend years.

We meet Glazier Kwong again when the hearing is over, so no decision was expected today, Glazier.

When world went well, I made all my points that I wanted to make it the first place and the proletarian members did.

Most of them did express support towards Hong Kong, but the government still gave very, very official answers without promising concrete action.

Kwong is aware that many of her demands may not be met.

But she says all change begins with recognition on discussion on the definitive action on that petition is still awaited.

But let's get more on Germany's position on China.

He's being a German politician and is chairman of the European Parliament's delegation for relations with China.

Is it time for Germany to impose sanctions and Chinese officials for that actions in Hong Kong?

Well, it's time for the U Teoh Teik joint action on.

Of course, Germany, as one off the more powerful capitals within the EU, has to play a very proactive role in that regard on uh, that's why I'm happy that these issues are not just being raised by us in the European Parliament, where we have demanded several times that such sanctions should be taken, but that it's also raised from the public through, for instance, uh, petitions.

So these issues that have definitely already being raised, But to go back to the point that you made about Germany being more proactive, why do you think Germany hasn't bean so proactive thus far?

Well, it would certainly be unfair to say that Germany hasn't done anything.

Germany has, for instance, suspended its uh, extradition agreement with Hong Kong on the German Foreign Minister has also, uh, make the several public statements.

But, um, Germany, just like other European countries, has been reluctant to really move forward on to take, um, Mawr more forceful steps on.

Obviously, whatever we've done so far has not really impressed.

Uh, the Hong Kong authorities know hasn't impressed Beijing on duh.

If we want to make them understand that what they're doing, that the oppression that they are pursuing in Hong Kong comes with the price, then obviously we have to do war.

And I think we have to do more on two fronts.

We now have the use global human rights sanctions mechanism, and it should be invoked visa V.

A couple of figures in Hong Kong, including Karen Lamp.

And on the other hand, the you should also, and Germany in particular, should also work diligently towards raising this issue in international forum on, for instance, creating ah contact group with for Hong Kong with other like minded countries to pay attention on, to let not let that topic not vanish from the international agenda.

You talk about more action from the EU and from Germany.

But then, in December you have the you that agreed on an investment deal with China, a deal that Germany had bean strongly backing.

I'm wondering what is the message that this sends to the Chinese government?

Well, unfortunately, that's not the the message that I wouldn't want to see, um, after a terrible year with, um, very aggressive policies, not just in Hong Kong.

Also Xinjiang, also visibly Australia, Also in the South China Sea, also on the Himalayan border with India, for instance, after such a terrible year off Chinese aggressiveness, we basically put a Christmas present on the Xi Jinping's Christmas tree.

The timing couldn't have been more unfortunately on bond.

I would I regret having to say that that my government, in this case, the German government um, uh, emphasized trade over, uh, geopolitical concerns and over human rights.

How beautiful for chairman off the European Parliament's delegation for relations with China.

And in Hong Kong itself, the new national security law has already had an impact on free speech.

My colleague Sara Kelly spoke with the former Hong Kong legislator Michael Tien.

He's a pro Beijing politician, and he admitted to her that the new law had had, ah, chilling effect on political debate.

You have sometimes spoken out against the government.

Do you personally have toe watch what you say?

How worried are you, my honest opinion and feedback is that yes, there has been a tightening off freedom to express views, particularly when it comes to Hong Kong.

Uh, gaining some kind off a greater control over his own destiny.

All right, about, uh, civic nomination that anybody can nominate to run for chief executive and the coast against the Basic Law.

So all I'm saying is that if anybody comes up with any kind of claim that goes against the Basic Law, yes, the freedom to express such views is much less today than before because of the national security bill.

And you can see that full interview on conflict Zone here on D W at 1930 UTC or online at www dot com forward slash conflict zone Now Hong Kong politicians who openly opposed Beijing have been targeted in mass arrests.

Not only do they face disqualification from upcoming elections, but possibly life imprisonment.

DWS Phoebe Kong talkto one of those arrested every day.

When Sarah's lower returns from his job as a nurse, he recalls the shocking moments off his first arrest.

It was 5 a.m. In the morning I was sleeping on.

Suddenly, a group of people banged on the door.

Six police officers were here to arrest me.

I was very shocked that they knew where I live.

They must have been following me for quite a while.

The 36 year old nurse has been living in the hotel for months to afford to bring the coronavirus home from the hospital.

Cyrus Law was among the 55 Hong Kong politicians arrested for suppression by running in an unofficial primary last year line the authorities claimed they sought to paralyze the government by featuring its budget and bills.

Police seized many of his campaign materials.

My work during the pandemic has already been intense and overwhelming.

Now I can't even let my guard down when I'm off duty.

Constitution gives lawmakers the power to scrutinize and veto the government's proposals.

The authorities air rounding up dissidents painting for AST protests were deterred under Beijing's new law and pandemic restrictions that Primary wants the biggest movement in recent months.

Over 600,000 people voted to pick the opposition candidates for the now postponed legislative elections.

It's still unclear whether the government will call an election this year.

The master rest have effectively silenced many of the most out spoken and influential political figures in town.