the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law enshrine the ‘one country, two systems’ principle’ as agreed between China and the United Kingdom; O. whereas the EU and the European Parliament have always strongly supported the ‘one country, two systems’ principle and the preservation of Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy in line with the Basic Law and international commitments, and whereas the EU has a strong stake in the continued stability and prosperity of Hong Kong under this principle; whereas in the current circumstances these principles are being inevitably and irreversibly undermined and nullified; P. whereas the EU continues to have deep concerns regarding the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) NSL for Hong Kong; whereas this is a sensitive issue, with far-reaching consequences for Hong Kong and its people, for EU and foreign citizens, for EU and international civil society organisations, as well as for business confidence in Hong Kong; whereas the entry into force of the NSL would increase the risks for EU citizens; Q. whereas according to the Human Rights Watch annual report, China is in the midst of its darkest period for human rights since the Tiananmen Square massacre; R. whereas the journalists at Macao’s public broadcaster have been ordered to promote ‘patriotism, respect and love’ for China, and at least six journalists have resigned after the introduction of new editorial rules, showing that concerns over the NSL also affects other regions; whereas the Macao Basic Law also protects freedom of press and is in place until 2049; S. whereas a joint statement delivered by Canada on behalf of 44 states – the highest number of signatories so far – including 23 EU Member States, was adopted at the ongoing session of the UN Human Rights Council; 1. Condemns in the strongest terms the forced closure of the Apple Daily newspaper, the continued freezing of its assets and the arrests of its journalists as yet another step by the PRC in dismantling free society in Hong Kong and setting the definitive end of media freedom and freedom of expression there; 2. Is alarmed by the rapid deterioration of the human rights situation in Hong Kong and more specifically the open attacks against freedom of speech and freedom of the press, as the PRC continues to undertake an unprecedented crackdown on fundamental freedoms, which has unfolded into a human rights emergency, and stresses the need for the EU to take urgent and resolute action; 3. Expresses its strongest solidarity with all Hong Kong journalists who, despite the entry into force of the NSL, have continued to strenuously defend media freedom and independent journalism and to keep reporting on the dramatic evolution of events in Hong Kong; calls on the Hong Kong authorities to end all legal harassment and all intimidation directed at journalists and to strive for the protection and the safety of journalists against all forms of violence, pressure, discrimination, unfair legal proceedings and all attempts aimed at preventing them from accomplishing their mission or of weakening their ability to do so in accordance with international norms, especially with Articles 19 and 21 of the ICCPR on the right to freedom of expression and the right to freedom of peaceful assembly;