By Tenzin Dharpo
DHARAMSHALA, Feb. 5: A group of United States lawmakers across party lines have nominated pro-democracy protestors in Hong Kong for the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize honor for what they called “an unwavering commitment to a free and democratic Hong Kong”.
In a letter addressed to the Nobel peace prize committee, U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and James McGovern — the Republican and Democratic heads of the ‘Congressional-Executive Commission on China’ said, “The pro-democracy movement of Hong Kong has inspired the world as countless and often anonymous individuals risked their lives, their health, their jobs, and their education to support a better future for Hong Kong.
“They have demonstrated civic courage, extraordinary leadership, and an unwavering commitment to a free and democratic Hong Kong that upholds the rule of law and fundamental human rights and freedom.”
The group goes on to say that Beijing resorted to “excessive and unnecessary force” in contravention of UN code of conduct and principles. “Instead of pursuing political dialogue and negotiation, the Hong Kong government implemented a crackdown on peaceful protests,” the group wrote.
The letter comes at a time when the relations between China and the United States is one of tension due to the ongoing trade wars and repeated condemnation by Washington DC on the use of harsh methods by authorities in Hong Kong. The protests calling for democracy in Hong Kong is nearing completion of a year having began in March 2019 when the masses stood in opposition to a proposed extradition bill that would have put anyone in Hong Kong at risk of extradition to mainland China.
While the bill has been suspended, demonstrators, many of whom are students and common people are pushing to rid China’s heavy-handedness in the region that was previously a British colony.
In 2018, Another bipartisan group of US lawmakers nominated Hong Kong’s pro-democracy Umbrella Movement for the Nobel Peace Prize.
