Joint Call to Action on Safe Haven in the US from HKW, SWHK, & HKDC

We, the undersigned organizations, urge the US Congress to pass legislation offering humanitarian pathways for Hongkongers and call for solidarity and joint effort among the Hong Kong diaspora, especially those in the US, to drive legislative change. 

Humanitarian pathways for Hongkongers are urgently needed in the United States. Many local citizens are facing imminent danger of political persecution for simply exercising their freedoms of speech, assembly, and association. This crisis was drastically intensified by the National Security Law whose “fundamental incompatibility” with international law and human rights has been recently highlighted by UN human rights experts. 

Over the past month, the Administration has taken substantive steps to offer a pathway to Hong Kongers. After President Biden’s announcement to grant Hongkongers Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) on August 5, the Department of Homeland Security recently announced the details on work authorization for eligible Hongkongers covered by DED. 

Understanding that DED is temporary in nature, we therefore urge the US Congress to pass further legislation that provides more permanent humanitarian pathways for Hongkongers in need. The urgency of the matter has been further highlighted in the recent Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) hearing, which aimed to be a catalyst for passage of such bills that protect Hongkongers from persecution. 

We believe in the power of solidarity and joint effort among the Hong Kong diaspora. We call for all Hongkongers in the US to utilize the “Find Your Legislators” function on Call4HK.com to contact their Members of Congress via email and Twitter to urge them to support Hong Kong and cosign the S.295 | H.R.461 Hong Kong Safe Harbor Act.

We are similarly committed to amplifying each organization’s voice and promoting a culture of collaboration. This joint campaign to push for safe haven legislation will be the start in the right direction, where we can find strength in unity and community. 

Signed, 

Hong Kong Watch (HKW)

“Fight For Freedom, Stand With Hong Kong” (SWHK)

Hong Kong Democracy Council (HKDC)