Submitted by: Partido Liberal de Chile & Venstre, Norway’s Liberal Party

Following the recent the Statement by Nordic parliamentarians international concern of Liberal International and the recent urgency resolution passed by the European Parliament in support for Hong Kong´s pro-democracy movement, Liberal International expresses its great concern about the ongoing events in Hong Kong.

Noting

1. Over the past years and, more recently, months the people of Hong Kong have conducted massive initially peaceful protests in favour of democracy, exercising their fundamental rights to assemble and express themselves freely, as recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which is incorporated in the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR.
2. Since its return to China in 1997 under the principle of “one country, two systems”, Hong Kong has its own legal system, borders and rights.
3. The demonstrations have been described by the Chinese authorities as ´terrorism´ and are met with a level of force, culminating in the attack on the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, which is not proportionate and prohibited by international norms and standards.5. The arrest of 4500 people since the protest began and ban or cancellation of 20 public gatherings.

Supporting

The democratic aspirations of the people of Hong Kong and the one country, two systems model.

Expressing deep concern

1. About the continuous deterioration of civil and political rights in Hong Kong
2. About the increasing erosion of the “one country, two systems” model

Urging

1. The international community to speak with one voice in condemning the violence and lack of respect of human rights 
2. The authorities in Hong Kong and China to end the violence and act with restraint and ensure the human dignity and the freedoms as laid down in the Basic Law for all citizens.
3. Those same authorities to start an independent investigation into reported incidents of excessive use of force by law enforcement officials and other security personnel.

Calling for

1. An open dialogue between the authorities and people of Hong Kong on the demands of the protesters.
2. Liberal International Member parties and Liberal politicians to raise all the above concerns with the Hong Kong SAR, the central government authorities and the UN General Assembly.