US Senate passes bill supporting human rights in Hong Kong amid protests

The US Senate on November 19 threatened to revoke its special status in Hong Kong and has unanimously passed a bill that aims to protect human rights in the country. The bill was introduced by Senators Marco Rubio, Ben Cardi and Jim Risch and will now proceed to the next stages of approval before it is presented to President Donald Trump. The lawmakers have further also approved a measure that would ban the sale of tear gas, rubber bullets and other equipment that have been used by the security forces. 

In a statement, Senator Rubio said, “Today, the United States Senate sent a clear message to Hong Kongers fighting for their long-cherished freedoms: we hear you, we continue to stand with you, and we will not stand idly by as Beijing undermines your autonomy. The passage of this bill is an important step in holding accountable those Chinese and Hong Kong government officials responsible for Hong Kong’s eroding autonomy and human rights violations.”

China has, however, shot back at the US. Geng Shuang, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson reportedly said that the US purpose was to support the extremists and violent elements against China that are trying to mess up Hong Kong and realise their sinister plot to hinder China's development by taking advantage of the Hong Kong issue. He further added that China would have to take strong countermeasures to defend national sovereignty security and development interests. 

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Britain 'seriously concerned' about Hong Kong violence

After US condemned the unjustified use of force in Hong Kong against the pro-democracy protesters, spokesperson of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that Britain remains “seriously concerned” by the escalating violence between demonstrators and police. The spokesperson also urged the authorities of the semi-autonomous region to agree to a path to resolve the situation. Johnson’s spokesperson called for restraint requesting to support the right to peaceful protest. 

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Protests from University campus

Hong Kong is in a state of turmoil after weeks of protests and violent clashes between police and pro-democracy protesters. Officials have tried to put an end to the protests through various means but have failed to achieve it. Protesters have made university campuses as their battlefield for anti-government protests. Police wanted protesters to leave a university campus in Hong Kong as they had barricaded themselves inside the campus. Hong Kong police, which has already used live rounds to suppress the protest, warned to use it on demonstrators after pro-democracy protesters threw petrol bombs at officers at a university campus.

READ: Hong Kong Protesters Enter Sewers To Escape After Police Lay Siege To University

READ: Hong Kong Leader Says Campus Protesters Must Surrender