03.17.23
Lankford Joins Resolution Supporting Hong Kong Citizens
WASHINGTON,
DC – Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Jim Risch (R-ID) and Bob
Menendez (D-NJ), joined 37 colleagues in introducing a resolution condemning
Beijing’s destruction of Hong Kong’s democracy and rule of law in addition to
its political persecution of Jimmy Lai and other pro-democracy advocates.
“The Chinese government has weaponized its Hong Kong ‘national
security law' to control the press, imprison dissenters, and restrict internet
access. The people of Hong Kong deserve freedom—not
authoritarian abuse. We must overwhelmingly condemn the CCP’s heinous
oppression,” said Lankford.
“The Chinese Communist Party’s enactment of the ‘Hong Kong
National Security Law’ in 2020 removed any distinction between mainland China
and Hong Kong. The Hong Kong government’s practice of bringing false and
politically-motivated charges against Hong Kongers like Jimmy Lai and Cardinal
Zen must stop,” said Risch. “This resolution calls
for the release of all wrongfully-accused defendants and encourages the U.S.
government and democratic partners to use all tools available to hold Beijing
and the Hong Kong government accountable.”
“I am proud to be joined by so many of my colleagues in
affirming our unwavering support for Jimmy Lai and other democratic actors,
human rights activists, journalists and other Hong Kong citizens being
persecuted by the PRC’s shameful campaign to dismantle Hong Kong’s
autonomy,” said Menendez. “The United States Senate is
coming together in a bipartisan fashion to make clear we remain united in our
efforts to stand with democratic partners in their advocacy for free speech,
safety, and basic democratic and human rights. I look forward to securing this
bipartisan resolution’s swift passage as we continue our efforts to enhance
every aspect of U.S. policy toward China.”
Joining Lankford, Risch, and Menendez are Senators John
Barrasso (R-WY), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Jeff Merkley
(D-OR), Todd Young (R-IN), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Tammy
Duckworth (D-IL), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mike Crapo (R-ID),
Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ted Cruz
(R-TX), Chris Coons (D-DE), Steve Daines (R-MT), Ben Lujan (D-NM), Jerry Moran
(R-KS), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Kevin Cramer (D-ND), Ben Cardin (D-MD), John
Boozman (R-AR), Gary Peters (R-MI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Dan Sullivan (R-AK),
Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Tina Smith (D-MN), Mike Braun (R-IN),
Brian Schatz (D-HI), John Hoeven (R-ND), Tammy Baldwin (D-WS), Josh Hawley (R-MO),
Chris Murphy (D-CT), Tim Scott (R-SC), and Cory Booker (D-NJ).
This resolution:
- Condemns the Chinese government’s “Hong Kong national security law” and related human rights abuses.
- Supports the people of Hong Kong as they fight to exercise fundamental rights and freedoms.
- Condemns the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) practice of bringing false and politically-motivated charges against Hong Kongers, as well as the state-directed theft of Apple Daily – Jimmy Lai’s media company.
- Urges the U.S. government to use all available tools, including those authorized by theHong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, in response to the CCP’s actions in Hong Kong.
- Encourages the United States and other governments to press multilateral organizations to no longer grant Hong Kong voting rights separate from China.
Full text of the resolution can be found here.
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