The European Union has condemned Macau authorities for arresting a democracy activist from the former Portuguese enclave over alleged national security violations.
Advertisement
In a statement on Saturday, the EU said the arrest of Au Kam-san, a former pro-democracy lawmaker of Macau, “adds to the existing concerns about the ongoing erosion of political pluralism and freedom of speech” in the city.
The casino hub was returned to China by Portugal in 1999. Like Hong Kong, Macau is also run under Beijing’s “one country, two systems” policy.
“The EU recalls that the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms is a central element of the Macau Basic Law and ‘one country, two systems’.
“It is essential that the protected rights and freedoms of Macau residents remain fully upheld in line with the Macau Basic Law, the Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration of 1987 and Macau’s commitments under the International Covenant for Civil and Political Right,” the EU statement read.
Advertisement
Au, 68, was taken away from his home on Wednesday.
A leading Macau democrat, Au was accused of colluding with foreign forces in breach of the city’s national security law, marking the first publicly known arrest under the legislation since its enactment in 2009.