The European Hong Kong Diaspora Alliance (EHKDA) expresses profound sorrow and outrage over the forced disbandment of the League of Social Democrats, Hong Kong’s last active pro-democracy political group. This development marks yet another tragic milestone in the systematic dismantling of Hong Kong’s civil society and political plurality under the National Security Law and the 2024 Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.

Founded in 2006, the League of Social Democrats long embodied Hong Kong's democratic aspirations and grassroots activism. From legislative battles to street-level mobilization, the League of Social Democrats served as a vital voice for the marginalized and a check against unchecked power. Its closure, under intense political pressure and legal intimidation, is not an isolated incident; it is part of a wider campaign to erase dissent from the city.

This follows the dissolution of the Democratic Party and the heavy sentencing of 45 pro-democracy figures in the “Hong Kong 47” trial. These developments confirm that Hong Kong’s space for political expression has collapsed entirely and has been replaced by a system designed to entrench authoritarian control, not uphold public representation.

The end of the League of Social Democrats is emblematic of the broader crackdown that now defines post-2020 Hong Kong. Peaceful assembly is criminalized, independent journalism is suppressed by sedition charges, and entire families are punished for the activism of loved ones in exile. Hong Kong’s political pluralism has been reduced to silence and fear.

While the European Union conducts annual EU-China Human Rights Dialogues, EHKDA reiterates serious concerns about the credibility and effectiveness of this process. The disbandment of the League of Social Democrats highlights how dialogue without consequences only enables further repression. Despite repeated EU statements on Hong Kong, the Chinese government continues to escalate its crackdown on civil society, both domestically and abroad.

Therefore, in addition to the EU-China Human Rights Dialogues, we urge the European Union to take firmer actions, including:

• Imposing targeted sanctions under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime on Chinese and Hong Kong officials responsible for human rights abuses

• Calling upon the Hong Kong government to abandon instruments of political repression – repeal the 2020 National Security Law and the 2024 Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, as well as release all political prisoners, including Jimmy Lai, Chow Hang-tung, and Owen Chow

• Coordinating strong, public diplomatic responses with international partners to condemn the dismantling of political freedoms in Hong Kong

• Supporting civil society in exile through legal protection, resettlement assistance, and funding for advocacy and documentation
   

The disbandment of the League of Social Democrats is a stark indicator of the continued erosion of fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong. Defending these principles is not only a moral imperative in solidarity with the people of Hong Kong, but also essential for safeguarding the international rules-based order and the global commitment to human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. The European Union must ensure its actions reflect these values through a coherent and principled response.

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Organisational members of the EHKDA
Befria Hongkong (Sweden)
Finnish Hongkongers (Finland)
Freiheit für Hongkong (Germany)
Hong Kong Committee in Norway (Norway)
Hongkongi Maja (Estonia)
Netherlands for Hong Kong (Netherlands)
PL4HK (Poland)
Støt Hongkong (Denmark)

Contact:
Amy Siu, 
General Secretary 
gs@hongkongdiaspora.eu