On the eve of exit bans pro-democracy activists and local HK groups call for Congress to pass lifeboat legislation
Today, a coalition consisting of prominent pro-democracy activists in exile and local Hong Kong groups in the USA have published an open letter to the US Congress calling for them to pass lifeboat legislation as a matter of urgency.
The letter calls on Congress to grant Priority 2 Refugee Status to Hong Kong’s peaceful pro-democracy protesters seeking resettlement, Temporary Protection Status to Hong Kong citizens already in the U.S. and an extension of visas to high-skilled Hong Kong residents with an associate degree or above.
The coalition of signatories note, that time is running out for the United States to adopt effective lifeboat measures to help Hong Kongers, with Beijing’s new immigration powers due to come into force on August 1st and the Hong Kong Police confirming it has a ‘wanted list’ of more than fifty individuals.
It warns that a deadlock on the passing of lifeboat policies allows Beijing the opportunity to restrict freedom of movement out of Hong Kong permanently.
Commenting on the letter, Johnny Patterson, Hong Kong Watch’s Director of Policy, said:
“When the tanks rolled into Tiananmen Square in 1989, the United States became a vital place of sanctuary for young Chinese democrats. Now is the time to offer the same hand of welcome to Hong Kongers.”
Activist signatories include: Joey Siu, Ray Wong, Ted Hui, Nathan Law, Jeffrey Ngo, Frances Hui, & Baggio Leung
Organisation signatories include: Hong Kong Watch, Hong Kong Social Action Movements in Boston, Las Vegas Stands with Hong Kong, Global Solidarity with Hong Kong - Chicago, DC4HK - Washingtonians Supporting Hong Kong, Cornell Society for the Promotion of East Asian Liberty, Hong Kong Political and Social Services at UC Davis, Hong Kong Affairs Association of Berkeley, UC San Diego-Hong Kong Cultural Society, New York University Hong Kong Student Advocacy Group, Lion Rock Cafe, We The Hongkongers, Fight for Freedom. Stand with Hong Kong, US HongKongers Club, HongKongers in San Francisco Bay Area, Hong Kong Liberation Coalition, Project Black Mask HK, Walk with Hong Kong Humanitarian Fund, & Northern California Hong Kong Club.
The full letter:
Members of the United States House of Representatives
Members of the United States Senate
July 21st 2021
Subject: The urgent need for Congress to adopt lifeboat measures for Hong Kongers
Honourable Members of Congress,
We the undersigned, comprised of pro-democracy activists in exile and Hong Konger groups in the United States, are writing to urge you to adopt lifeboat measures that will allow Hong Kongers who peacefully protested against Beijing’s encroachment and have a well-founded fear of persecution the opportunity to seek protection in the United States.
In the last few months, we have seen Beijing continue its crackdown on the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong with the mass arrest of pro-democracy activists and journalists under the National Security Law, the introduction of electoral reform which would prevent pro-democracy parties from standing for election, the closing of Apple Daily newspaper, the banning of the June 4 Tiananmen Square Vigil and July 1 annual march, and the adoption of an Immigration Bill which will allow the Chinese Government to restrict freedom of movement into and out of the city.
The UK, Canada, and Australia have all offered ‘lifeboat schemes’ to Hong Kongers, however they still do not cover many activists born after 1997 who remain the most vulnerable to arrest. While we have been lucky to receive asylum, refuge, and protection in Western countries, many of our friends, family, and colleagues have not.
We fear that time is running out for the United States to adopt effective lifeboat measures to help them, with Beijing’s new immigration powers due to come into force on August 1st and the Hong Kong Police confirming it has a ‘wanted list’ of more than fifty individuals who they will arrest if they attempt to leave the city.
With nearly every prominent pro-democracy voice in Hong Kong in jail, awaiting trial, or overseas in exile, it is clear that there is an increased need for the United States to do more, particularly now that Beijing is closing travel routes with the suspension of direct flights between Hong Kong and the UK.
A deadlock on the passing of lifeboat policies allows Beijing the opportunity to restrict freedom of movement out of Hong Kong permanently. Congress must act urgently.
We therefore urge the Congress to pass legislation before the summer recess to provide timely protection for Hong Kongers in need, which includes:
Priority 2 Refugee status - ensure Hong Kongers who participated peacefully in the protest movement and have a well-founded fear of persecution would be eligible for Priority 2 Refugee status.
Temporary Protection Status - ensure Hong Kongers who are currently in the United States and have a well-founded fear of persecution would be eligible for Temporary Protected Status.
Extended VISAs - extend visa permits to high-skilled Hong Kong residents with an associate degree or above.
Yours sincerely,
Joey Siu
Ray Wong
Ted Hui
Nathan Law
Jeffrey Ngo
Frances Hui
Baggio Leung
Hong Kong Watch
Hong Kong Social Action Movements in Boston
Las Vegas Stands with Hong Kong
Global Solidarity with Hong Kong - Chicago
DC4HK - Washingtonians Supporting Hong Kong
Cornell Society for the Promotion of East Asian Liberty
Hong Kong Political and Social Services at UC Davis
Hong Kong Affairs Association of Berkeley
UC San Diego-Hong Kong Cultural Society
New York University Hong Kong Student Advocacy Group
Lion Rock Cafe
We The Hongkongers
Fight for Freedom. Stand with Hong Kong.
US HongKongers Club
HongKongers in San Francisco Bay Area
Hong Kong Liberation Coalition
Project Black Mask HK
Walk with Hong Kong Humanitarian Fund
Northern California Hong Kong Club