WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Peter Meijer (R-MI), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today spoke on the House floor in favor of three bills that passed unanimously out of committee and are expected to pass the full House this week with strong bipartisan support.
Rep. Meijer’s remarks on H. Res. 130, Condemning the continued violation of rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong by the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Regions, as prepared are below:
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 130, a resolution condemning the violations of the basic rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong.
“As part of the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong, the People’s Republic of China made a series of commitments: that Hong Kong would retain a high degree of autonomy; that its “social and economic systems” would remain unchanged until at least 2047; and that the personal rights and liberties of the people of Hong Kong would be protected by the law.
“Yet we continue to see the PRC infringe on Hong Kong’s sovereignty and its people’s freedoms. It has been made abundantly clear that the PRC has no intention of keeping its promises.
“Most recently, the PRC forced through the draconian, but mundane sounding ‘Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.’ This law casts an authoritarian net over Hong Kong empowered to crack down on vaguely worded political crimes like ‘subversion’ and ‘collusion with foreign powers.’
“From day one, that law has been abused with the people of Hong Kong arrested for such crimes as wearing stickers or t-shirts with disagreeable slogans.
“The rapid erosion of Hong Kongers’ rights and freedoms is absolutely unacceptable, and it is past time that the PRC and its puppet government in Hong Kong be condemned in the strongest terms possible.
“I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution to send a clear message that we in the United States will not stand by as the rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong are stripped away. Thank you. I yield back.”
Rep. Meijer’s remarks on H. Res. 124, Supporting the people of Belarus and their democratic aspirations and condemning the election rigging and subsequent violent crackdowns on peaceful protesters by the illegitimate Lukashenka regime, as prepared are below:
“Madame Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 124, a resolution to support the people of Belarus and their efforts against corruption and kleptocracy.
“On August 9, 2020, Belarus held a presidential election marred by credible reports of election manipulation, including at least 24 percent of the country’s precincts reporting some form of vote-rigging.
“Not surprisingly, the Belarussian dictator Alexander Lukashenko, who has ruled with an iron fist for nearly three decades, commanded an authoritarian 80 percent of the vote.
“Since August, Belarussians have taken to the streets peacefully to express their desire for a democratic future. Instead of heeding their calls, the regime has responded with extreme violence, arbitrary detention, torture, and other systemic human rights violations.
“This resolution sends a clear message that we in Congress support the Belarussian people and their aspirations for democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
“I urge a yes vote from all of my colleagues. Passage of this resolution will send a message that we stand against the violent crackdowns of the Lukashenko regime and with the people of Belarus. Thank you. I yield back.”
Rep. Meijer’s remarks on H.R. 1392, the Protection of Saudi Dissidents Act, as prepared and submitted for the record are below:
“Madame Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1392, the Protection of Saudi Dissidents Act.
“Saudi Arabia is one of our strongest partners in the Middle East. That does not mean, however, that we should cast a blind eye to the Kingdom’s most brutal human rights violations, including the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a U.S. resident.
“This bill, which passed out of the Foreign Affairs Committee with unanimous support, would prohibit arms sales to Saudi Arabia’s security services until the President certifies the Saudi government is not conducting flagrant human rights violations such as torture, the intimidation and assassination of dissidents, and the unjust imprisonment of U.S. citizens.
“America is a beacon throughout the world because of our commitment to democratic values and our commitment to human rights. Our actions must match our convictions. We can and should leverage our close relationship to promote human rights in Saudi Arabia.
“This bill would do exactly that – sending a message to our ally that if it continues to conduct such heinous acts, there will be consequences.
“I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation. Thank you. I yield back.”
Original source can be found here.
