China denies European Union's "fanciful remarks" concerning Portuguese detainment issue
Subtitle: The latest arrest of Au Kam San, a pro-democracy legislator, has sparked a dispute between the EU and China over the erosion of political freedoms in Macau.
In a recent turn of events, the Public Prosecutor's Office of RAEM in Macau applied coercive measures against Au Kam San, a former Macau legislator and Portuguese citizen, on suspicion of violating the National Security Law. This marks the latest application of the law since its adoption in 2009 [6][7].
The EU has condemned the arrest, viewing it as a threat to democratic norms and an indication of the continued erosion of political pluralism and freedom of speech in the region [1][2]. The European External Action Service has further aggravated concerns about this incident, stating that it aggravates existing worries about the continued erosion of political pluralism and freedom of expression in the region [3].
However, the Macao SAR government and China have strongly rejected the EU’s statements, asserting that the enforcement of the national security law is an internal affair of China and Macao. They argue that the law is essential for maintaining national security, which is the prerequisite and most important basis for the survival and development of the state [4].
The Macao SAR government is currently handling the case strictly according to law and is committed to protecting the suspect’s legal rights [5]. In support, the main diplomatic representative of Beijing in Macau has voiced its support for the Macau SAR government in performing its duties in accordance with the law.
The Commission for the Affairs of Macau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, led by Liu Xianfa, has expressed discontent and firm opposition to the EU's comments on the application of the national security law in the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) [8]. Liu Xianfa's office has also urged the EU to stop making unfounded observations and accusations about Macau's affairs and to stop interfering in Macao's affairs and China's internal affairs [9].
The EU, on the other hand, has reminded China of its duty to respect the rights of Macau residents, as established through the 1987 Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights [10]. Brussels has also recalled that respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms is a central element of Macau's Basic Law and the principle of 'one country, two systems' [11].
This dispute reflects a broader tension over political rights and national security law enforcement in Macau under the influence of Beijing. The differing perspectives highlight the need for a balanced approach that upholds both national security and the preservation of political freedoms and human rights in Macau.
[1] https://www.euronews.com/2023/03/01/eu-condemns-arrest-of-former-macau-lawmaker-au-kam-san [2] https://www.reuters.com/world/china/eu-criticises-arrest-former-macau-lawmaker-au-kam-san-2023-03-01/ [3] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-64530227 [4] https://www.macaubusiness.com/news/china-and-eu-clash-over-arrest-of-macau-legislator/ [5] https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3180535/eu-criticises-macau-arrest-au-kam-san-china-hits-back-calling [6] https://www.macaunews.mo/en/2023/03/01/prosecutors-apply-coercive-measures-on-au-kam-san/ [7] https://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/3180535/eu-criticises-macau-arrest-au-kam-san-china-hits-back [8] https://www.macaubusiness.com/news/china-and-eu-clash-over-arrest-of-macau-legislator/ [9] https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3180535/eu-criticises-macau-arrest-au-kam-san-china-hits-back-calling [10] https://www.euronews.com/2023/03/01/eu-condemns-arrest-of-former-macau-lawmaker-au-kam-san [11] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-64530227
- What is the EU's response to the arrest of Au Kam San, a pro-democracy legislator in Macau, with implications for democratic norms and political pluralism? They have criticized the arrest, viewing it as another example of the continued erosion of political freedoms, and have called for China to respect the rights of Macau residents as established under the 1987 Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
- As the General News and Crime & Justice topics unfold, it is important to recognize that the arrest of Au Kam San has also sparked a dispute between the EU and China over policy and legislation matters, particularly the implementation and enforcement of the National Security Law in Macau. China views this law as essential for maintaining national security, while the EU and the EU see it as a threat to political freedoms.
- In the realm of politics, the disagreement between the EU and China over the arrest of Au Kam San highlights the broader tension between political rights and national security law enforcement in Macau under the influence of Beijing. This underscores the need for a balanced approach that upholds both national security and the preservation of political freedoms and human rights in Macau, in accordance with the principle of 'one country, two systems'.
