European Parliament calls for Political Boycott of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics

Today, the European Parliament will vote on a resolution regarding the closure of the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily in Hong Kong. The results of the vote are expected to be announced from 16:30. A large cross-party majority in favour of the resolution is expected. In the resolution, MEPs call for the first time for a political boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. 

Reinhard Bütikofer, Greens/EFA MEP and Chair of the European Parliament's China Delegation, comments: 
 
"While in Hong Kong the freedoms constitutionally promised for many years are systematically eliminated by Beijing, the European Parliament demonstrates the united support for human rights as the core tenet of European foreign policy. It is clear that many EU member states and also the European Commission are reluctant to speak out against China's repressive measures in Hong Kong. It is therefore all the more important that the European Parliament stays firm in its solidarity with the citizens of Hong Kong and their fight for democracy and freedom. 
 
“In the resolution, MEPs call for government officials and diplomats to decline invitations to the Beijing 2022 Winter Games unless the Chinese government is committed to genuine improvements in the human rights situation in Hong Kong and elsewhere in China. The European Parliament is also proposing that 1 July should be observed as a day of solidarity with Hong Kong. The consensus on these issues in the European Parliament is very strong. We will fight to ensure that Member State governments in Europe also take an unyielding stance."
 
More:
Read the European Parliament resolution.