The head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell deplored Monday, August 3 the postponement of legislative elections in Hong Kong and the disqualification of opposition candidates, and " invited " the authorities of the territory to " reconsider " these decisions.
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" The proposed postponement of one year of the elections to the Legislative Council by resorting to emergency powers would delay the renewal of his democratic mandate and call into question the exercise of democratic rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Hong Kong Basic Law ," he said. supported Josep Borrell in a press release.
" The disqualification of pro-democracy candidates, including sitting lawmakers previously democratically elected by the people of Hong Kong, also weakens Hong Kong's international reputation as a free and open society ," he added.
" It is essential that the Legislative Council elections take place in an environment conducive to the exercise of democratic rights and freedoms as enshrined in Hong Kong's Basic Law ," he said. “ The EU invites the Hong Kong authorities to reconsider these decisions, ” he concluded.
Appointed by Beijing, Hong Kong's chief executive Carrie Lam announced on July 31 the postponement of legislative elections scheduled for September due to the increase in coronavirus cases. This decision was preceded by the invalidation of the candidacy of 12 pro-democracy activists in these elections.