BRUSSELS: The European Union on Saturday (Aug 2) condemned Macau’s arrest of former pro-democracy lawmaker Au Kam-san, saying it solely heightened issues concerning the “erosion of political pluralism” within the Chinese language territory.
Au is the primary individual to be arrested underneath town’s nationwide safety legislation.
Authorities alleged on Thursday that the 68-year-old main faculty instructor had ties to overseas teams endangering China.
“This growth provides to the prevailing issues concerning the ongoing erosion of political pluralism and freedom of speech within the Macao Particular Administrative Area,” mentioned European Union spokesperson Anitta Hipper in an announcement.
“The EU recollects that the respect for human rights and elementary freedoms is a central ingredient of the Macao Fundamental Legislation and ‘one nation, two programs’,” arrange within the former Portuguese colony.
The territory close to Hong Kong, recognized for its casinos, has retained its personal authorized system since China took it again from Portugal in 1999.
The safety legislation, which restricts political exercise, was handed in 2009 however broadened in 2023.
Au, a legislator as much as 2021, has campaigned on social welfare, corruption and electoral reform.
