Chairs and Select Committee Leadership Urge Sanctions for Hong Kong Officials Eroding Rule of Law and Rights Protections
July 17, 2024
(Washington)—U.S. Representative Christopher Smith (R-NJ) and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), the Chair and Cochair, respectively of the bipartisan and bicameral Congressional-Executive Commission on China, released today a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen expressing concerns about the convictions of pro-democracy advocates (Hong Kong 47) which represents “a significant escalation in their efforts to dismantle Hong Kong’s autonomy and stifle dissent at the behest of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).” The letter urges the use of financial sanctions to hold Hong Kong officials accountable for eroding Hong Kong’s rule of law and democracy, and abusing human rights.
The Chairs joined the Chair and Ranking Member of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, Representative John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), on the letter. It is the third joint letter on Hong Kong sent by the leadership of the CECC and the Select Committee.
The letter concludes by saying that “Imposing sanctions…would send a clear and unmistakable message that the United States stands firmly with the people of Hong Kong in their struggle for democracy and human rights. It would also underscore our commitment to holding accountable those who perpetrate and enable human rights abuses.”
The signed letter is attached.
Background: Since 2022, the Chairs have urged the Biden Administration to sanction judges and prosecutors for their role in the arbitrary detention of Hong Kong democracy and rights activists, particularly in National Security Law cases. The last sanctions imposed by the Administration on Hong Kong officials was in January of 2021.
The Chairs are also lead sponsors of two bipartisan bills to address efforts by the Hong Kong and PRC governments to demolish the democratic freedoms guaranteed to the Hong Kong people by international treaty:
The Transnational Repression Policy Act (S. 831 / H.R. 3654) which would give the Administration additional tools to hold foreign governments and individuals accountable when they stalk, intimidate, or assault U.S. citizens and residents.
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Certification Act (H.R. 1103 / S. 490) which would give the President the authority to strip the immunities and privileges granted to the three Hong Kong government diplomatic outposts in the United States, which reportedly engage in the surveillance of Hong Kong democracy advocates in the United States.