{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Legislation","name":"Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019","description":"

Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019

This bill addresses Hong Kong's status under U.S. law and imposes sanctions on those responsible for human rights violations in Hong Kong. (Hong Kong is part of China but has a largely separate legal and economic system.)

The Department of State shall certify annually to Congress as to whether Hong Kong warrants its unique treatment under various treaties, agreements, and U.S. law. The analysis shall evaluate whether Hong Kong is upholding the rule of law and protecting rights enumerated in various documents, including (1) the agreement between the United Kingdom and China regarding Hong Kong's return to China, and (2) the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The bill extends existing annual reporting requirements on matters of U.S. interest in Hong Kong through 2027 and expands such reports to include assessments of (1) limits to Hong Kong's autonomy, either self-imposed or due to China's actions; and (2) whether rescission of Hong Kong's special treatment would further erode Hong Kong's autonomy.

The President shall annually report to Congress on Hong Kong's enforcement of U.S. export controls, including whether items of U.S. origin have been used for mass surveillance in China and whether Hong Kong has been used to evade sanctions on North Korea or Iran.

The State Department shall notify Congress if any proposed or enacted law in Hong Kong negatively impacts U.S. interests, including by putting U.S. citizens at risk of rendition to China.

The President shall impose property and visa-blocking sanctions on foreign persons responsible for gross human rights violations in Hong Kong.

","legislationIdentifier":"HR 3289","legislationType":"Bill","legislationLegalForce":"NotInForce","legislationJurisdiction":"USA","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Christopher H. Smith","url":"https://legisdaily.com/mp/christopherh-smith-us"}],"about":{"@type":"Thing","name":"International Affairs"},"keywords":"Arms control and nonproliferation, Asia, China, Congressional oversight, Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation, Detention of persons, Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad, Drug trafficking and controlled substances, Elections, voting, political campaign regulation, Foreign property, Freedom of information, Government information and archives, Hong Kong, Human rights, International exchange and broadcasting, International organizations and cooperation, Iran, Middle East, News media and reporting, North Korea, Nuclear weapons, Protest and dissent, Religion, Rule of law and government transparency, Sanctions, Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status, Terrorism, Trade restrictions, Travel and tourism, Visas and passports, War and emergency powers","dateModified":"2025-06-04T00:00:00.000Z","url":"https://legisdaily.com/bill/USA-116-HR-3289"}

Christopher H. Smith

Christopher H. Smith

Foreign Affairs Committee, Financial Services Committee, Judiciary Committee