Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The European Union has voiced concerns over Hong Kong’s main and once-powerful opposition party, announced it might disband.
The representatives of Hong Kong’s Democratic Party approved a motion to dissolve without giving specific grounds. The party’s 400 members will vote on the motion, the leadership of the party stated. According to Democratic Party head Lo Kin-hei, the motion to dissolve will be supported if it is supported by at least 75 percent of the attendees.
Anitta Hipper, the EU’s lead spokeswoman for foreign affairs and security policy, said,
“The EU is deeply concerned about the further narrowing of the space for civil society in Hong Kong.”
The spokeswoman said the European Union was
“aware of pressure put on the Democratic Party to disband.”
“The European Union urges the Hong Kong authorities to protect the ability of the people of Hong Kong to exercise their rights,”
She noted on social media.
Hipper also stated the media and rights-based civil society organizations, including the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA), faced growing pressure.
The EU is deeply concerned about the further narrowing of the space for civil society in Hong Kong. We are aware of pressure put on the Democratic Party to disband, while the independent polling institute PORI has suspended research activities. (1/2)
— Anitta Hipper (@ExtSpoxEU) February 21, 2025
Is political pressure influencing the democratic party’s decision?
Democratic Party chairman said
“Developing democracy in Hong Kong is always difficult, and it’s especially difficult in the past few years.”
“This is not what we wanted to see.”
When questioned about political pressure, Lo expressed the decision was made after careful consideration of the “overall political environment.” He stated, however, that the party’s finances remained relatively good, and the party could keep going for extended if need be.
Established in 1994 in the run-up to the city’s return from the UK to Chinese control in 1997, the Democratic Party evolved into the largest and most successful opposition party. Reports revealed that the party garnered substantial public support in city-wide elections and has long been a fundamental symbol of the city’s freedoms and plurality.
