Duty of Interference to Support Democracy and Human Rights

President Trump signs bill supporting Hong Kong protesters 
By Andrew O'Reilly

President Trump signs Hong Kong bill.

President Trump on Wednesday signed two bills meant to support human rights and pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong, drawing a furious response from Beijing's foreign ministry.

The bills were signed as Hong Kong continues to be gripped by turmoil amid widespread discontent over Chinese rule in the special administrative region. 

Chinese officials had hoped President Trump would veto the bill and the president had expressed some concerns about complicating the effort to work out a trade deal with Chinese dictator Xi Jinping.
"Look, we have to stand with Hong Kong," Trump said in an interview on "Fox & Friends" last week, later adding: "But I'm also standing with President Xi. He's a friend of mine. He's an incredible guy."
The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act mandates sanctions on Chinese and Hong Kong officials who carry out human rights abuses and requires an annual review of the favorable trade status that Washington grants Hong Kong. 

The second bill prohibits export to Hong Kong police of certain nonlethal munitions, including tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets, water cannons, stun guns and tasers.
"The act reaffirms and amends the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992, specifies United States policy towards Hong Kong, and directs assessment of the political developments in Hong Kong,” Trump said in a statement.
He added: “Certain provisions of the Act would interfere with the exercise of the President's constitutional authority to state the foreign policy of the United States. My administration will treat each of the provisions of the Act consistently with the president's constitutional authorities with respect to foreign relations.”
The munitions bill was passed unanimously, while Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., was the sole House member to oppose the human rights bill. 

Before Wednesday's signing announcement, Trump would only commit to giving the measures a "hard look."

Hong Kong kept its advantageous trading status with the U.S. upon its 1997 handover to China by the U.K., in recognition of Beijing’s pledge to allow it to retain its own laws, independent judiciary and civil and economic freedoms.
That independent status has come into question amid moves by Beijing to gradually strengthen its political control over the territory, helping spark months of increasingly violent protests.
Earlier in November, China’s legislature argued it had the sole right to interpret the validity of Hong Kong’s laws after the territory’s court struck down an order banning the wearing of masks at protests. 

Legal scholars described that as a power grab violating the governing framework known as “one country, two systems.”
With Hong Kong’s Beijing-backed government refusing to enter into dialogue or make concessions, the territory’s police force has been given broad powers to quell the protests. 

That has brought excessive use of force and the abuse of detainees, along with a complete lack of accountability for officers.
In a September report, Amnesty International documented numerous cases where protesters had to be hospitalized for treatment of injuries inflicted while being arrested.
The signing of the act was widely praised by both Democrat and Republican lawmakers.
"If America does not speak out for human rights in China because of commercial interests, we lose all moral authority to speak out elsewhere," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said in a statement. 

“This bicameral, bipartisan law reaffirms our nation’s commitment to democracy, human rights and the rule of law in the face of Beijing’s crackdown. America is proud to stand with the people of Hong Kong on the side of freedom and justice.
“I am pleased that the President signed this legislation and look forward to its prompt enforcement.”
“The signing of this legislation into law ensures the United States finally sends a clear and unequivocal message to the people of Hong Kong: We are with you,” Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement. 

“With the world standing witness to history as the people of Hong Kong risk it all in pursuit of their legitimate aspirations for autonomy and against the erosion of democracy, I am incredibly proud to support the people of Hong Kong with the tools in this powerful new law.”
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., added: I applaud President Trump for signing this critical legislation into law. The U.S. now has new and meaningful tools to deter further influence and interference from Beijing into Hong Kong’s internal affairs.”
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch, R-Idaho said the bills are "an important step forward in holding the Chinese Communist Party accountable for its erosion of Hong Kong's autonomy and its repression of fundamental human rights." 

Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., warned Xi: "Americans despise tyrants and stand in solidarity with Hong Kong. The whole world has seen both the courage of Hong Kongers and the brutality of your Chinese Communist Party. As long as freedom-seekers fill the streets of Hong Kong, the American people will take their side."
President Trump’s signing of the act comes just days after pro-democracy candidates in Hong Kong won 388 out of 452 seats in 18 district council races, while pro-Beijing forces, who previously held 73 percent of the seats, won only 62. 

Voters came out in droves with a 71 percent turnout -- up from 47 percent four years ago in the same elections, according to the Electoral Affairs Commission.

Saving Brave Hong Kong

U.S. senators seek quick passage of Hong Kong rights bill
Reuters

A protester walks at the occupied campus of the Chinese University in Hong Kong, China, November 13, 2019. 

WASHINGTON -- Two senior U.S. senators began a process on Thursday for the U.S. Senate to quickly pass legislation that would place Hong Kong’s special treatment by the United States under extra scrutiny, a sign of support for pro-democracy protesters in the Chinese-ruled city.
U.S. Senators Jim Risch, the Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Marco Rubio, a senior member of the panel, want to pass the “Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act” by unanimous voice vote.
The legislation would require the secretary of state to certify at least once a year that Hong Kong still retains enough autonomy to warrant the special U.S. trading consideration that bolsters its status as a world financial center.It also would provide sanctions against officials responsible for human rights violations in Hong Kong.
The lawmakes’ announcement came amid a surge in violence surrounding months of protests in Hong Kong. 

On Thursday, pro-democracy protesters paralyzed parts of the city for a fourth successive day.
If it does pass the Senate, the measure would not be sent immediately to the White House for President Donald Trump to sign into law or veto. 

Lawmakers would first have to iron out differences between the Senate’s legislation and a bill that passed the House of Representatives last month.

US senators push for vote on Hong Kong rights bill as police violence rises

• The chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee said on Tuesday he wanted the Senate to pass legislation to support pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong.
• Republican Senator Jim Risch noted that he is a co-sponsor and strong proponent of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, which would place Hong Kong’s special treatment by the United States under tighter scrutiny.

Reuters

Hong Kong protesters call for US lawmakers to pass human rights bill.

The chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee said on Tuesday he wanted the Senate to pass legislation to support pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong, as violence rose in the Chinese-ruled city rocked by months of unrest.
Republican Senator Jim Risch noted that he is a co-sponsor and “strong proponent” of the “Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act,” which would place Hong Kong’s special treatment by the United States under tighter scrutiny.
“We want it moved,” Risch said during a discussion on China at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.
The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives unanimously passed the bill in mid-October.
Risch’s Foreign Relations committee approved a similar measure in September, but it has not been scheduled for a vote by the full Senate, which must pass the bill before it can be sent to President Donald Trump.

The world needs to see that the United States will stand up and say this is wrong, we stand with the people of Hong Kong.                                         

Sen. Jim Risch, CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS

The White House, which is engaged in intense trade negotiations with China, has yet to say whether he would sign or veto it.

Police in Hong Kong battled pro-democracy protesters at several university campuses on Tuesday in sometimes savage clashes, as parts of the city were paralyzed including Hong Kong’s financial district, which was tear-gassed for a second day running.
Those flare-ups occurred a day after police shot an unarmed protester at close range.

Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., left, and James Risch, R-Idaho, attend the Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing of Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson in Dirksen Building, January 11, 2017.

Risch and fellow Republican Senator Marco Rubio are to meet on Wednesday with Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to discuss the possibility of getting floor time for a vote on the bill, aides said.
“The world needs to see that the United States will stand up and say this is wrong, we stand with the people of Hong Kong,” Risch said.
Asked of McConnell would allow a vote in the Senate, a spokesman pointed to his remarks in the Senate on Tuesday expressing concern about the violence.
“I’m eager to continue working with colleagues such as Senator Risch, Senator (Lindsey) Graham, Senator Rubio, and others toward a strong and procedurally workable solution,” McConnell said.
The legislation has 37 Republican and Democratic co-sponsors in the 100-member Senate. 

Backers say it is expected to pass easily if McConnell schedules a vote.

A Fierce Slap to Chinese tyrants

U.S. Senators Press Ahead With Hong Kong Bill

After House passage, legislation awaits action in Senate
By Daniel Flatley and Dandan Li

Hong Kong Bill Will Pass in the Senate, Says Rep. Chris Smith

Republican senators said Wednesday they want to move quickly on legislation to support pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong despite a "threat" of retaliation from China.
“Hong Kong is a high priority for me,” said GOP Senator Jim Risch, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee. 

“We’re going to move on it as rapidly as we can.”

Senator Jim Risch

Senator Roy Blunt, a member of the Senate GOP leadership, said there haven’t been any discussions about the timing for a vote on Hong Kong legislation similar to a measure that passed the House Tuesday. 

That bill would subject the city’s special U.S. trading status to annual reviews and provides for sanctions against officials deemed responsible for undermining its “fundamental freedoms and autonomy.”
There is broad backing in both parties in Congress to show support for the protesters and punish China for any crackdown. 

The White House declined to comment on whether Trump would sign the Hong Kong legislation, but there are enough votes in the House to override a veto and no significant opposition in the Senate.
The next step will be up to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell who’ll set the schedule for a vote, and he’s being pressed by his Republican colleagues.

“I think we’re going to get it up on the floor here fairly soon,” Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio, a China critic, told reporters.
South Dakota Senator John Thune, another member of Republican leadership, said that while he hasn’t looked closely at the four bills the House passed Tuesday, there are a number of senators “interested in making a strong statement on Hong Kong.”
Maryland Senator Ben Cardin, a Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, said the main House bill, the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, has deep bipartisan support, but there might be some Republicans who object to the bill being passed by unanimous consent without a floor vote.
Cardin said the fact that the House passed their four bills separately, rather than bundling them together, means the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act has a better chance of getting a vote in the Senate.

Demonstrators wave U.S. flags during a rally in support of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, Oct. 14.

Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Geng Shuang warned American lawmakers to stop "meddling" in China’s internal affairs.

Both Trump and Chinese dictator Xi Jinping have so far prevented the international uproar over Hong Kong from scuttling their trade talks. 

The two sides went ahead with negotiations and reached some broad agreements last week, even though the House vote was widely expected at the time.

A spokesman for the Hong Kong government “expressed regret” over the House action, which came hours before Chief Executive Carrie Lam addressed a raucous session of the Legislative Council. 

She barely managed a few words before pro-democracy lawmakers forced her to stop talking. 

She ended up delivering her annual policy address via video instead.
While the pro-democracy bloc only comprises about a third of lawmakers, Wednesday’s display showed they have the ability to shut down debate on major economic initiatives. 

That spells even more trouble ahead for an economy sliding into recession as protests against Beijing’s grip over the city grow increasingly violent.
China’s retaliation threat against the U.S. roiled markets during Asian trading, at one point wiping out a 0.8% rally in the regional equity benchmark.
U.S. lawmakers have embraced the Hong Kong protesters’ cause as the yearlong trade war fuels American support for pushing back against China, and they have hosted Hong Kong’s pro-democracy activists on Capitol Hill in recent weeks. 

The National Basketball Association’s struggle to manage Chinese backlash against a Houston Rockets executive’s support for the movement has only focused wider attention on the debate.
On Tuesday, the House passed H.Res. 543, a resolution reaffirming the relationship between the U.S. and Hong Kong, condemning Chinese interference in the region and voicing support for protesters. 

Lawmakers also passed the Protect Hong Kong Act, H.R. 4270, which would halt the export to Hong Kong of crowd-control devices such as tear gas and rubber bullets.

Joshua Wong arrives to speak on Capitol Hill on Sept. 17.

Representative Chris Smith, a New Jersey Republican and a sponsor of the main Hong Kong bill, dismissed the threats from Beijing.
“Retaliation, that’s all they ever talk,” Smith told Bloomberg TV. 

“They try to browbeat and cower people, countries, presidents, prime ministers and the like all over in order to get them to back off. We believe that human rights are so elemental, and so in need of protection. And that’s why the students and the young people are out in the streets in Hong Kong virtually every day.”
The House also adopted a resolution by Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel of New York and the panel’s top Republican, Michael McCaul of Texas, urging Canada to start U.S. extradition proceedings against Huawei Technologies Co. executive Meng Wanzhou. 

The resolution, H.Res. 521, also calls for the release of two Canadians detained in China and due process for a third sentenced to death for drug smuggling.

Ted Cruz

The Duty of Interference to Curtail Evil

US congressional committees pass Hong Kong Freedom and Democracy Act
The bill requires yearly review of US trade and business policy towards Hong Kong.
AL JAZEERA NEWSYoung Hong Kong pro-democracy activists have been lobbying in the US to exert more pressure on China, warning that an erosion of the city''s special status would embolden Beijing to crack down on dissent.

The United States Congress has moved closer to passing legislation that would require an annual review of its trade and business policy towards Hong Kong, giving a boost to the city's pro-democracy movement.
Members of the US House of Representatives' committee on foreign affairs unanimously approved the Hong Kong Human Rights Acts on Wednesday, and its Senate version cleared the committee level shortly after.
"To the Chinese Communist Party and those seeking to undermine Hong Kong's freedom and autonomy, let me be crystally clear -- the House Foreign Affairs Committee will not sit idly by," Eliot Engel, the Democratic chairman of the committee said ahead of the vote.
He said the bill demonstrates US "support for the Hong Kong people at this critical time."
At the Senate, Jim Risch, a Republican senator from Idaho and chairman of the foreign relations committee, also welcomed the bipartisan vote.
"After more than two decades of broken promises, it is time that we hold the Chinese Communist Party accountable for its erosion of Hong Kong's autonomy," he said.
With the committee approvals done, the bill heads for a vote in both chambers of the US Congress.

The House and Senate versions of the legislation need to be identical before a final vote can commence. 

Senator Marco Rubio, the author of the Senate version, urged the quick passage of the bill and approval by US President Donald Trump.
He said China should be held "fully accountable for its ongoing efforts to undermine Hong Kong's freedoms and autonomy."
A separate bill, known as PROTECT Hong Kong Act, which seeks to ban sales of riot-control equipment to Hong Kong law enforcers, is also pending in the US Congress.

I am proud @SenateForeign today passed the #HongKongHumanRightsandDemocracyAct. After more than 2 decades of broken promises it's time we hold the CCP accountable for erosion of Hong Kong autonomy. We are all proud to stand with Hong Kongers in pursuit of fundamental freedoms.— Jim Risch (@SenatorRisch) September 26, 2019

On Tuesday, President Trump told the UN General Assembly in New York that Beijing must protect the former British territory's democratic way of life.

A separate bill, known as PROTECT Hong Kong Act, which seeks to ban sales of riot control equipment to Hong Kong law enforcers, is also pending in the US Congress.

Hong Kong activists, including Joshua Wong, have been lobbying for the passage of the legislation, appearing before committee hearings in Washington, DC.
Last week, Wong told American legislators that Beijing "should not have it both ways, reaping all the economic benefits of Hong Kong's standing in the world, while eradicating our sociopolitical identity."
Hong Kong, an autonomous Chinese city and former British colony, has been rocked by protests for months, following the city's decision to introduce an extradition bill, which would have allowed its citizens to be prosecuted in mainland China.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam was eventually forced to withdraw the bill, but protests continued with demonstrators denouncing what they said was Beijing's interference of Hong Kong affairs.
On Thursday, Lam will hold her first talks with members of the public in a bid to resolve a political crisis that has fuelled nearly four months of protests and plunged the city into chaos.