BRUSSELS, 20 Jan.- The European Parliament condemns the deteriorating Human Rights situation in Hong Kong and demands a firm response from the European Union that includes sanctions against those responsible for the repression and political boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics.

In a resolution approved by a large majority, 585 votes in favor, the European Parliament has condemned restrictions on freedom of expression and association and restrictions on the press in the enclave. In this regard, he called for the release of those arbitrarily detained in recent years, within the framework of peaceful protests.

In a further step, the European Parliament has urged Member States to agree to sanctions against Chinese and Hong Kong officials responsible for the repression and all companies involved in human rights abuses.

And amid the debate over international representation at the Beijing Winter Olympics, the European Parliament sided and called for a “diplomatic and political boycott” of the sporting event.

So far, the United States, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and several European Union countries have announced that they will not send diplomatic delegations to the Olympics, in response to the deteriorating Human Rights due to the treatment of the Uyghur minority or the situation. in Hong Kong. .

France proposed in December to coordinate a common European position on the boycott of the Olympics in China, initiating contacts with the Twenty-seven with this aim, but it is one European nation that looks likely to finally have representation in Beijing. Germany is one of the European powers that has yet to speak.

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