The United States Department of State announced on Friday (May 31) that the U.S. will impose new visa restrictions on Chinese Communist Party and Hong Kong officials in response to a Hong Kong court ruling that convicted 14 pro-democracy figures under the national security law. The U.S. condemned the verdicts as politically motivated and urged the Hong Kong authorities to release the individuals immediately.
The spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, Matthew Miller, stated on Friday that the U.S. is “deeply concerned” about the guilty verdicts against pro-democracy organizers by the Hong Kong court under the national security law.
“Defendants are being prosecuted and imprisoned solely for peacefully participating in political activities protected by Hong Kong’s Basic Law,” Miller said. “In response, the U.S. Department of State is taking action to impose new visa restrictions on officials responsible for enforcing the national security law in China and Hong Kong under section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.”
Miller also emphasized that the Hong Kong authorities should not impose harsh sentences as it will only “further erode public confidence in the Hong Kong judicial system” and instead should “immediately release these individuals who have been unfairly detained.”
“We urge the PRC (People’s Republic of China) government and Hong Kong authorities to uphold Hong Kong’s judicial independence, stop using vague national security laws to suppress peaceful dissent, and restore openness, which is crucial for Hong Kong’s vibrancy and competitiveness as an international business center,” Miller said.
On Thursday (May 30), Hong Kong’s High Court, with three judges designated under the national security law, convicted 14 pro-democracy figures on charges of “conspiring to subvert state power,” prompting strong condemnation from European and Australian governments, U.S. senators, and human rights organizations.
This is the largest trial conducted by the Hong Kong government against the democratic camp. Over three years ago, police conducted pre-dawn raids across the city, arresting 47 pro-democracy figures, then charged them with conspiring to subvert state power based on the national security law enacted by the Chinese Communist Party. This verdict has gained support from the Chinese government, which was also the drafter of the national security law in Hong Kong.
This verdict has not only sparked opposition from the United States but also drawn condemnation from the European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, and human rights groups. The European Union External Action Office stated in a press release that this conviction “marks a further deterioration of fundamental freedoms and democratic participation in Hong Kong.”