US Congress Members Recommend 'Hong Kong Democratic Movement' for Nobel Peace Prize

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] American politicians have nominated the 'Hong Kong Democracy Movement' as a candidate for this year's Nobel Peace Prize.

On the 3rd (local time), according to the AP News, nine U.S. lawmakers, including Republican Senator Marco Rubio and Democratic Representative Jim McGovern, nominated the 'Hong Kong Democracy Movement' for the Nobel Peace Prize.

The nine lawmakers (five Democrats and four Republicans) are all members of the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC).

In the nomination letter sent to the Nobel Committee dated the 31st of last month, they stated, "We nominate the movement that has peacefully advocated and maintained human rights and democracy in Hong Kong since its handover to China in 1997, and has continuously fought against the erosion of these rights."

They added, "Many pro-democracy activists have already been imprisoned, some have gone into exile, and more are awaiting trials where guilty verdicts are expected," criticizing, "All of this is solely because they peacefully expressed their political views through speech, publication, elections, and assembly."

They also pointed out, "China enacted the Hong Kong National Security Law (Hong Kong Security Law) in response to opposing public opinion and protests, and this law is being actively used to suppress human rights and democracy."

The Norwegian Nobel Committee accepts and reviews any nominees presented by qualified individuals by January 31 of the year.

SCMP reported this as "a recent example where the U.S. Congress, which usually does not unite well in other areas, has spoken with one voice across party lines against the Chinese and Hong Kong governments."

SCMP also cited experts saying that the recent actions of the U.S. Congress following China's sanctions against U.S. officials who criticized its human rights abuses indicate that U.S. pressure on China will not ease under the new administration.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Congress previously nominated Joshua Wong and Nathan Law in 2018, and the 2014 'Hong Kong Umbrella Movement' for the Nobel Peace Prize.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.