Condemning Continued Violation of Rights and Freedoms of People of Hong Kong By People's Republic of China and Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Floor Speech

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Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 130, Condemning Continued Violation of Rights and Freedoms of the People of Hong Kong by People's Republic of China and Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

I have introduced this resolution to demonstrate this body's already strong, bipartisan support for the people of Hong Kong.

The situation in Hong Kong has been alarming for several years now. We have witnessed the degradation of civil liberties and human rights as the PRC continues to disregard its international legal obligations under the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration.

For months, in 2019, the people of Hong Kong peacefully took to the streets in historic numbers to preserve their democracy and demand their rights and freedoms. Unfortunately, these peaceful protesters were met with excessive force by the police and the further imposition of restrictions on expression and assembly. Thousands have been beaten, injured, and illegally detained in violation of due process.

Rather than listen to the demands of the majority of Hong Kongers, the Chinese Government blatantly bypassed Hong Kong's local government and imposed a sweeping national security law on Hong Kong and its people with very little accountability or transparency. The vague, overly broad measures this security law put in place are little more than a thinly veiled attempt to erode Hong Kong's autonomy and restrict the space for peaceful expression. It steals from the people of Hong Kong the ability to exercise the freedoms of speech and association and creates an environment of fear around the expression of any political sentiment.

It is no surprise that since the passage of this law, political censorship has spiked significantly and Hong Kong officials have become increasingly brazen in undermining democratic norms, such as disqualifying pro-democracy candidates from participating in the legislative council elections and removing democratically elected lawmakers from office.

Hong Kong authorities have also used the national security law to target and silence pro-democracy activists at home and abroad. They have even issued arrest warrants for activists living overseas, including a U.S. citizen, for alleged violations of national security law.

Hundreds of pro-democracy figures and activists have been arrested or sentenced to prison, including Joshua Wong, Agnes Chow, Ivan Lam, the ``Hong Kong 12,'' and Jimmy Lai Chee-Ying, while others await a further crackdown. But the resolve of the people of Hong Kong has not wavered, and neither will the resolve of the people of the United States, our allies, and this body.

Mr. Speaker, see, democracy is the cornerstone of the work we do in the people's House. We must support the people of Hong Kong as they fight for the rights and freedoms promised to them under the Basic Law. With the passage of this resolution, the House reaffirms its continued support for the people of Hong Kong.

We stand by activists who continue to come forward in their cause for democracy and human rights at great risk to themselves, their families, and their future. But by passing this resolution, the House sends a strong, bipartisan message demanding that the Chinese and Hong Kong Governments respect the will of the people of Hong Kong.

We will continue to push for democracy and respect for human rights in Hong Kong. We will continue to demonstrate that we stand in solidarity with the pro-democracy figures and activists who have made tremendous sacrifices for their city and for their core human rights.

This is an important resolution, and I support it and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

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Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers if the gentleman from Texas is ready to close.

Mr. Speaker, first, let me thank the ranking member for making sure we make a unified, strong, bipartisan statement, and all of my colleagues on the Foreign Affairs Committee on both sides of the aisle because H. Res. 130 sends a strong and unequivocal message: The United States stands firmly in support of the people of Hong Kong and the rights, freedoms, and autonomy they are promised in the joint declaration and basic law.

This resolution signals that the House's support of the people of Hong Kong and their struggle for democracy shall not waiver and shall remain firm and resolute.

Mr. Speaker, I hope that all of my colleagues will join Ranking Member McCaul and myself in supporting this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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