To U.S. Congress: Act Now to Save Hong Kong

In March 2019, the Hong Kong Government (HKG) proposed a Bill to amend the Extradition Law. If passed, the Bill would allow anyone—regardless of nationality or residency status—to be extradited to mainland China where human rights are compromised, the rule of law is absent, and dissidents are routinely persecuted. It would threaten the fundamental freedoms of Hongkongers and foreigners alike and affect international businesses in Hong Kong.

Millions of Hongkongers took to the streets to protest the Bill earlier this month. Though protestors were peaceful and unarmed, they were brutally suppressed by police who attacked journalists, shot protestors in the face with rubber bullets, and tear-gassed authorized protest areas. Numerous protestors were also unjustifiably arrested and interrogated. Violating international law, such incidents of police brutality have been condemned by governments and watchdogs worldwide.

Considering these developments as well as the deteriorating conditions of autonomy and freedom in Hong Kong in recent years, we implore members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to take the following actions:

- Issue a strong statement with other members of Congress expressing apprehensions and concern for the proposed amendment to the Extradition Law;

- Condemn the violent crackdown on peaceful protests, warn the HKG against further violence, and call for the unconditional release of all arrested protestors without the threat of future prosecution;

- Consider sanctions against HKG officials responsible for the crackdown on peaceful protests, including Commissioner of Police Stephen Lo, Secretary of Security John Lee, and Chief Executive Carrie Lam;

- Pass the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019 (H.R. 3289) at your earliest convenience;

- Conduct an item-by-item revision of the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992;

- Review the United States-Hong Kong Extradition Treaty.