Us Congress House Bill HR1274

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/3/24
• Refer: 6/3/24

Caption

Responding to the promulgation of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, under Article 23 of the Basic Law, by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government on March 19, 2024.

Impact

The bill emphasizes the stance that any laws enacted in Hong Kong that undermine freedoms and democratic processes violate the Sino-British Joint Declaration, which was supposed to ensure a 'one country, two systems' approach until 2047. It calls upon the U.S. government to implement targeted sanctions against officials involved in the enforcement of these laws and to provide moral support to Hong Kong citizens threatened by political repercussions. This step signifies a commitment from the U.S. government to uphold international human rights standards, potentially influencing how future U.S.-China relations are managed.

Summary

HR1274 is a resolution aimed at responding to the promulgation of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government on March 19, 2024. The resolution asserts solidarity with the people of Hong Kong in their struggle for civil rights and demands the protection of their basic human rights as guaranteed under international law. It condemns the new legislation, which is seen as a move to further erode democratic values and institutions in Hong Kong, and seeks to affirm that such laws should not hold jurisdiction outside of China.

Contention

Opposition to the resolution may arise from concerns about escalating tensions between the U.S. and China, especially given the sensitive nature of any measures that could be perceived as interfering with Chinese sovereignty. Critics might argue that the resolution may not result in effective change for Hong Kongers but could lead to further isolation of the region. Furthermore, discussions on how useful sanctions would be in promoting human rights in Hong Kong remain contentious, raising debates about the practical effectiveness of such measures.