Speeches by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Marsha Blackburn on Hong Kong Democracy and Human Rights Act

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — U.S. SENATE November 19, 2019

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn for Tennessee

Today, I spoke about the cause of freedom and how we are seeing people around the world stand up for freedom—and, yes, indeed, we see this in Hong Kong, and it does inspire us. The message that we are sending to Beijing is that, indeed, we are watching and we are paying attention—and to the Hong Kong protesters, for them to know that we are watching what they are doing and that we are standing with them.

It is important to note that China has really earned its place atop the list of the world’s most notorious human rights violators, and over the past few weeks, Hong Kong’s descent into chaos and bloodshed has provided a much- needed reminder of the horrors, the absolute horrors of authoritarian rule.

There can be no change without accountability, and Beijing needs to know we are focused on that accountability, which is why, today, I am so pleased to stand with these other Members of this Chamber in support of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act. The bill does demand accountability, not only from Beijing but also from us. It will require us to monitor Hong Kong’s progress toward autonomy and China’s behavior toward Hong Kong people who choose to exercise their internationally recognized rights, those rights that we have spoken of in this Chamber today.

The bill will help us identify the tacics Beijing uses to capture Hong Kong’s dissidents and then to trap them on mainland China, and we will also ensure that no peaceful protesters are denied visas to the United States because of the alleged crimes.

Now, I will tell you, the bill is a great start, but the time and the work that we put in it will be wasted unless every single Member of this Chamber makes a commitment to hold us ac- countable, to hold China accountable. I would encourage my colleagues to view their support of this legislation as a promise to these protesters in Hong Kong, that their cries for help are not going to go unanswered.

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois

With the situation deteriorating by the hour in Hong Kong, the passage of legislation could not be more timely. I urge my colleagues in the House to take action quickly without delay. This bill sends an important message of bipartisan support from the U.S. Congress for the democratic aspirations of the broad majority of the people of Hong Kong.

Some of you may realize that we, just a few months ago, celebrated the 30th anniversary of the bloody crack-down that ended the peaceful democracy movement in Tiananmen Square. Who among us can forget those riveting weeks during which there was real hope and possibility of China opening its political system—the Goddess of Democracy statue modeled after our own Statue of Liberty—and, sadly, the jarring image of the protestor that was standing to try to block the onslaught of a tank?

The crude propaganda and disinformation used by Communist hardliners to brainwash young military conscripts to turn on their own people was both heartbreaking and infuriating. Remembering those days, we must not sit by idly and quietly and allow Hong Kong’s freedoms to be similarly threatened.

I have been moved by the courageousness of the pro-democracy protestors in the face of increasingly excessive use of force by the Hong Kong police in one of the most vibrant cities in the world. What exactly are Hong Kong protesters fighting for—the freedoms we in America take for granted every day—the freedom of assembly, suffrage, speech, due process, and rule of law. Rather than sitting down with the protesters, Hong Kong authorities have increasingly used excessive force instead of engaging in constructive dia- logue. Yet, ultimately, I believe the Hong Kong Government and the protesters are capable of finding a solution, and I hope they do.

Let me end by appealing to the leadership in China to show the courage to allow the continued prosperous democratic autonomy enjoyed by the people of Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s continued special status is the sign of strength and confidence, not weakness.