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As we had already written about Hong Kong, protests have gotten more tense and pressing, but the pro-democracy party still stands tall.
The Senate unanimously approved a pair of bills on Tuesday Nov. 19 meant to support the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong that have caused mass demonstrations across the region for months.
Lawmakers passed the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act by unanimous consent, which would mandate that the State Department report annually on Hong Kong’s status as an autonomous territory of China. The legislation would also impose sanctions on any officials who commit human rights violations in Hong Kong.
“Today, the United States Senate sent a clear message to Hong Kongers fighting for their long-cherished freedom: We hear you, we continue to stand with you, and we will not stand idly by as Beijing undermines your autonomy,” Sen. Marco Rubio declared.
The legislation now goes to the House, where a similar version has already been approved. If passed, it will then be sent to President Donald Trump for consideration, although he has largely stayed quiet on this issue, since he does not want more troubles with the government of the People’s Republic of China.
Although demonstrations have largely been calm, some protests have grown violent in recent weeks, and dramatic images of people wielding Molotov cocktails and breaking windows have spread across social media. The police have responded with force, using tear gas and even opening fire at times with live rounds.
The US Senate on Tuesday also unanimously passed legislation that would ban the export of certain crowd control munitions to the Hong Kong Police Force for a year, including tear gas, pepper spray and rubber bullets
The Yucatan Times
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