US Congress introduces bill to sanction Hong Kong officials responsible for human rights violations
Today, Representative Young Kim (R-CA-40), alongside Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA-02), introduced the bipartisan Hong Kong Sanctions Act. This bipartisan bill underscores the United States’ commitment to holding Hong Kong officials accountable for human rights violations and the erosion of fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong.
The proposed legislation mandates a comprehensive review of the sanctions currently in place against Hong Kong officials implicated in human rights abuses or actions undermining Hong Kong’s autonomy. The legislation also introduces an expanded list of Hong Kong officials, including judges, prosecutors, and senior officials involved in the erosion of judicial independence and human rights in Hong Kong.
The bill would direct President Donald Trump to submit a determination within 180 days of enactment, evaluating whether any currently sanctioned or additional individuals listed in the bill meet the criteria for sanctions under existing laws and executive orders, including:
The Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act;
Executive Order 13818, targeting individuals involved in human rights abuse or corruption;
The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019, as amended;
The Hong Kong Autonomy Act;
Executive Order 13936, relating to Hong Kong normalization.
In response to the introduction of the bill, Representative Kim Young said:
“Beijing’s ‘national security law’ is a façade used by CCP officials to promote authoritarianism and exert control over Hong Kongers. I refuse to let Beijing silence the voices of freedom-loving people. The Hong Kong Sanctions Act demonstrates the United States’ commitment to uplifting the voices of Hong Kongers and holding officials accountable for human rights violations.”
Representative Jim McGovern said:
“I am proud to join Congresswoman Young Kim in co-leading this bill to require a review of sanctions with respect to Hong Kong. Congress has given the executive branch many, many tools to counter the PRC’s crushing of democracy and human rights in Hong Kong. It’s time for these authorities to be fully implemented. That’s the least we can do as a nation to demonstrate true solidarity with the people of Hong Kong.”
Megan Khoo, Policy Director of Hong Kong Watch, said:
“It is vital that the new Congress starts strong by employing targeted sanctions against Hong Kong officials who continue to severely impact the city’s autonomy and fundamental freedoms. Sanctions would protect Hong Kongers who are targeted by these officials in Hong Kong, the US and around the world by making it known that the US will impose consequences for human rights violations. The United States must reaffirm its commitment to defending human rights and standing with those who defend the values we hold dear worldwide.”
美國兩黨議員提案制裁侵害人權港官
今天，美國共和黨眾議員金映玉（Kim Young）聯同民主黨眾議員Jim McGovern提出《香港制裁法案》（Hong Kong Sanctions Act）。這項兩黨法案突顯出美國致力要追究香港官員侵害人權及破壞香港基本自由的責任。
香港監察政策總監Megan Khoo表示：
「美國新一屆國會必須打響頭炮，點名制裁持續嚴重影響香港自治和基本自由的香港官員。制裁能夠保護身在香港、美國以至世界各地被這些官員針對的港人，表明美國會就侵害人權行為施加後果。美國必須重申承諾捍衛人權，支持全世界捍衛備受珍視價值的人。」