Condemns any restriction of the freedom of thought, expression, or association in Hong Kong, consistent with the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992.
Recognizes that because Hong Kong exercises considerable influence in international affairs, as a developed economy, financial center, trading entrepot and shipping center, reductions in the existing freedom of the Hong Kong people would be of global significance.
Urges the Hong Kong Government and the People's Republic of China to withdraw the proposed implementation of Article 23 of the Basic Law insofar as it would reduce the basic human freedoms of the people of Hong Kong.
Calls upon the People's Republic of China, the National People's Congress, and any other groups appointed by the Government of China to leave all revisions of Hong Kong law to a legislature elected by universal suffrage.
Urges immediate elections for the Legislative Council of Hong Kong according to rules approved by the Hong Kong people through an election-law convention, referendum, or both.
Calls upon the Government of China to fully respect the autonomy and independence of the chief executive, the civil service, the judiciary, the police of Hong Kong, and the Independent Commission Against Corruption.
Calls upon the U.S. Government, other governments, the people of the United States, and the people of the world to support freedom in Hong Kong by: (1) making clear statements against any limitations on existing human freedoms in Hong Kong; and (2) transmitting those statements to the people and the Government of the People's Republic of China.
[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 277 Introduced in House (IH)]
108th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 277
Expressing support for freedom in Hong Kong.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 16, 2003
Mr. Cox (for himself, Mr. DeLay, Ms. Pelosi, Mr. Blunt, Mr. Lantos, Mr.
Goodlatte, Mr. Faleomavaega, Mr. Vitter, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Wilson of
South Carolina, Mr. Burgess, Mr. King of Iowa, Mr. Kennedy of
Minnesota, Mr. Markey, Mr. Frank of Massachusetts, Mr. Barton of Texas,
Mr. Stearns, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, Mr. Royce, Mr. Smith of Michigan, Ms.
Harris, Mr. Weller, Mr. Burton of Indiana, Mr. Shadegg, Mr. Lincoln
Diaz-Balart of Florida, Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida, and Mr.
Sessions) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the
Committee on International Relations
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing support for freedom in Hong Kong.
Whereas Hong Kong has long been the world's freest economy, renowned for its
rule of law and its jealous protection of civil rights and civil
liberties;
Whereas the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration explicitly guarantees that all
of Hong Kong's freedoms, including press freedom, religious freedom, and
freedom of association, will continue for at least 50 years;
Whereas the Government of the People's Republic of China pledged to respect Hong
Kong's Basic Law of 1990, which explicitly protects freedom of speech,
of the press and of publication, of association, of assembly, of
procession, of demonstration, and of communication;
Whereas the Basic Law also explicitly protects freedom of conscience, religious
belief, and of religious expression;
Whereas Hong Kong's traditional rule of law, which has guaranteed all of these
civil rights and civil liberties, is essential to its continued freedom,
and the erosion of that rule of law bodes ill for the maintenance and
expansion of both economic freedom and individual civil rights;
Whereas in the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 Congress declared:
``The human rights of the people of Hong Kong are of great importance to
the United States and are directly relevant to United States interests
in Hong Kong. A fully successful transition in the exercise of
sovereignty over Hong Kong must safeguard human rights in and of
themselves. Human rights also serve as a basis for Hong Kong's continued
economic prosperity.'';
Whereas since Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the
People's Republic of China on July 1, 1997, the Hong Kong authorities
have changed the system of electing representatives to the Legislative
Council, added appointed members to District Councils, invited the
central government to reverse Hong Kong courts, and declined to permit
the entry of some American visitors and other foreign nationals whose
views are opposed by the People's Republic of China;
Whereas, despite the provisions of the Basic Law which call for a gradual and
orderly process toward democratic election of the legislature and chief
executive, and which call for universal suffrage, the Government of the
Hong Kong SAR and the People's Republic of China have stymied this
process;
Whereas the traditional liberties of Hong Kong's 7,000,000 people are now
immediately threatened by Hong Kong's proposed ``Article 23'' laws,
which were drafted under strong pressure from the Government of the
People's Republic of China, dealing with sedition, treason, and
subversion against the Chinese Communist Party, and the theft of state
secrets;
Whereas the proposed legislation would give the Hong Kong Government discretion
to imprison individuals for ``attempting to commit'' the undefined crime
of ``subversion''; would criminalize not only membership in, but even
attendance at meetings of, organizations not approved by Beijing; and
would threaten freedom of religion, membership in authentic trade
unions, political activity of all kinds, and a wide range of public and
private expression;
Whereas the proposed legislation would give Hong Kong's Secretary for Security,
an appointee of the Government of the People's Republic of China, broad
authority to ban organizations it deemed in opposition to the national
interest, thereby threatening religious organizations such as the Falun
Gong and the Roman Catholic Church;
Whereas under the proposed legislation such basic and fundamental procedural
rights as notice and opportunity to be heard could be waived by the
appointee of the Government of the People's Republic of China in Hong
Kong if honoring these rights ``would not be practicable'';
Whereas the People's Republic of China's history of arbitrary application of its
own criminal law against dissenters, and its pattern of imprisoning and
exiling those with whom it disagrees, provide strong reasons to oppose
the expansion of Beijing's ability to use its discretion against Hong
Kong's freedoms;
Whereas similar subversion laws in the People's Republic of China are regularly
used to convict and imprison journalists, labor activists, Internet
entrepreneurs, and academics;
Whereas broad segments of the Hong Kong community have expressed strong concerns
about, and opposition to, the proposed new laws;
Whereas those members of Hong Kong's Legislative Council elected by universal
suffrage oppose the proposed new laws, but are powerless to stop them
against the majority of votes controlled directly and indirectly by the
Government of the People's Republic of China;
Whereas the scheduled consideration of these proposals to restrict Hong Kong's
freedoms in the Legislative Council on July 9, 2003, makes the threat to
its people clear and imminent; and
Whereas it is the duty of freedom loving people everywhere to stand with the
people of Hong Kong against this dangerous erosion of its long-held and
cherished rights: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) condemns any restriction of the freedom of thought,
expression, or association in Hong Kong, consistent with the
United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992;
(2) recognizes that because Hong Kong exercises
considerable influence in international affairs, as a developed
economy, financial center, trading entrepot and shipping
center, reductions in the existing freedom of the Hong Kong
people would be of global significance;
(3) urges the Hong Kong Government and the People's
Republic of China to withdraw the proposed implementation of
Article 23 of the Basic Law insofar as it would reduce the
basic human freedoms of the people of Hong Kong;
(4) calls upon the People's Republic of China, the National
People's Congress, and any other groups appointed by the
Government of the People's Republic of China to leave all
revisions of Hong Kong law to a legislature elected by
universal suffrage;
(5) urges immediate elections for the Legislative Council
of Hong Kong according to rules approved by the Hong Kong
people through an election-law convention, referendum, or both;
(6) calls upon the Government of the People's Republic of
China to fully respect the autonomy and independence of the
chief executive, the civil service, the judiciary, the police
of Hong Kong, and the Independent Commission Against
Corruption; and
(7) calls upon the United States Government, other
governments, the people of the United States, and the people of
the world to support freedom in Hong Kong by--
(A) making clear statements against any limitations
on existing human freedoms in Hong Kong; and
(B) transmitting those statements to the people and
the Government of the People's Republic of China.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Mr. Smith (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5837-5841)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 277.
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5990-5991)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 426 - 1 (Roll no. 326).(text: CR 6/25/2003 H5837-5838)
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On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 426 - 1 (Roll no. 326). (text: CR 6/25/2003 H5837-5838)
Roll Call #326 (House)Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.