US condemns Hong Kong rewards and passport cancellations for Democrats

WASHINGTON, Dec 27 — The US State Department said rewards offered by Hong Kong to six more pro-democracy activists believed to have violated national security laws and the cancellation of the passports of seven more amounted to attempts at intimidation.

The State Department also separately condemned China for taking action against two Canadian institutions and 20 people working on Uyghur and Tibetan human rights issues.

“We reject the Hong Kong government’s attempts to intimidate and silence individuals who have chosen to make the United States their home,” the US State Department said in a statement yesterday, adding that some of the victims were in the United States.

There was no immediate response from China’s foreign ministry ReutersPlease comment on the State Department’s condemnation.

Chinese-imposed national security legislation in Hong Kong prompted US sanctions and was used to jail pro-democracy activists after violent street protests in 2019.

China’s national security office in Hong Kong said Tuesday it supported the actions because the individuals had engaged in “anti-Chinese” and destabilizing activities.

On Sunday, Beijing separately targeted the Canadian Uighur Rights Project and the Canada-Tibetan Committee, announcing measures including asset freezes and entry bans.

Human rights groups accuse Beijing of widespread abuses against the Uyghurs, a predominantly Muslim ethnic minority numbering about 10 million in the western Xinjiang region, including the widespread use of forced labor in camps. Beijing denies any wrongdoing.

China seized control of Tibet in 1950. International rights groups and exiles regularly denounce what they say is China’s repressive rule in Tibetan regions. — Reuters