Rubio Condemns Passage of Article 23 in Hong Kong

A controversial security law has passed in Hong Kong, which authorities argue is necessary for stability. However, detractors have pushed back against the law, arguing that it will only further erode civil liberties. In response to the passage of Article 23, Florida Senator Marco Rubio (R) has condemned the passage, calling for the international community to unite in condemnation.

Article 23 was fast-tracked through its final stage by the city’s pro-Beijing parliament, and Hong Kong’s leader, John Lee, has commented that the law will protect against “potential sabotage and undercurrents that try to create troubles.” Specifically, it is expected to guard against “ideas of an independent Hong Kong.”

In response to the passage of Article 23, a cross-party international coalition of 78 parliamentarians and public figures have issued a statement that condemns the passage. Senator Rubio signed the condemnation, which includes others like the Chair of the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China and New Jersey Rep. Chris Smith (R), and others.

In signing the condemnation, the coalition is calling for supportive governments to unite against the “flagrant breach of the Basic Law of Hong Kong, the Sino-British Joint Declaration, and international human rights law.”

In a statement, Senator Rubio, who’s been vocal in his opposition to the Chinese Communist Party, commented that “the Chinese Communist Party stops at nothing to undermine Hong Kong’s autonomy and democracy. As Beijing’s aggressive erosion of Hong Konger’s basic freedoms continues, the international community must unite in condemnation of these actions and fight for justice and accountability.”

In the coalition’s statement, the signers call “for the Hong Kong government to repeal the 2020 National Security Law and cease prosecution of individuals charged with offenses under the National Security Law; ensure compliance with international legal obligations and ensure that any restrictions on the basic rights of the people of Hong Kong on national security grounds should be legal, legitimate, and proportional, and ensure that legislation is consistent with the protection of international human rights law and standards.”