US visa ban on 49 Hong Kong officials

Last Updated on March 30, 2024 4:43 am

The United States has decided to impose a visa ban on 49 Hong Kong government officials accused of human rights violations. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said in a statement that action will be taken on this issue soon.

Reuters reported in a report that since last year, China has been active in suppressing Hong Kong’s autonomy, democratic institutions and the freedom and rights of its people. Beijing’s latest addition to the issue is Article 23, a national security law passed by the Chinese parliament last year.

According to the statement of the US State Department, Hong Kong government officials are brutally suppressing the democratic rights and aspirations of the general public under the pretext of implementing the law.

The ministry did not disclose the name of any Hong Kong official under the ban. But U.S. officials told Reuters the names of some. They are – Hong Kong Law Minister Paul Lam, Police Chief Raymond Siew, and Judges Andrew Chiwang, Andrew Chan, Johnny Chan, Amanda Woodcock and Esther Toh.

In the past year, the extremely repressive attitudes and activities of several Hong Kong officials towards people’s rights and freedoms have come to the attention of the United States. In response to these activities, the US Department of State has decided to impose a visa ban on Hong Kong officials. Because Washington respects the democratic rights of people in Hong Kong.