BRUSSELS: The arrest of former pro-democracy legislator Au Kam-san in Macau was denounced by the European Union on Saturday, stating that it only increased worries about the “erosion of political pluralism” in the Chinese enclave. According to the city’s national security statute, Au is the first individual to be taken into custody. The 68-year-old elementary school teacher was accused by authorities on Thursday of having connections to foreign organizations that pose a threat to China.
In a statement, European Union spokesman Anitta Hipper stated, “This development adds to the existing concerns about the ongoing erosion of political pluralism and freedom of speech in the Macao Special Administrative Region.” “The EU remembers that the Macao Basic Law and ‘one country, two systems’ established in the former Portuguese colony place a strong emphasis on respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.”
Since China reclaimed it from Portugal in 1999, the area, which is close to Hong Kong and is well-known for its casinos, has maintained its own legal system. The 2009-passed security statute, which limits political activities, was expanded in 2023. Up until 2021, Au served as a lawmaker and ran on platforms of electoral reform, social welfare, and anti-corruption.
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