WASHINGTON — Witnesses testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues told senators July 22 that Hong Kong’s democratic space and rule of law have been severely eroded since the 2020 National Security Law and the subsequent Article 23 legislation.

The decline has “affected not only the fundamental human rights of Hong Kongers, but also the national and economic security of the U.S. and the world,” Hudson Institute senior fellow Olivia Enos told the subcommittee, adding that Hong Kong has taken “just shy of 2,000 political prisoners” since 2019 and that high‑profile outlets such as Apple Daily and Stand News have been forced to close.

Why it matters: Committee members and witnesses said the legal and institutional changes in Hong Kong have far‑reaching consequences for press freedom, civic association, and international law enforcement. Sophie Richardson, formerly China director at Human Rights Watch, said the changes include “collective punishment” and sentences that on average exceed five years under the 2020 law.

Witnesses summarized the legal changes and effects. Olivia Enos described the National Security Law as creating four new criminal categories — secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces — and characterized Article 23 as adding further offenses including treason, espionage and external interference. Sophie Richardson told senators that Chinese authorities have “arbitrarily detained and convicted” thousands of people for peacefully exercising rights and that legal definitions have been expanded to criminalize ordinary acts of expression and association.

Several witnesses described the impact on institutions. Joy Hsu, a former student leader and spokesperson for Amnesty International Hong Kong overseas, said freedom of assembly “has also been eradicated” and cited the forced disbanding of the League of Social Democrats and the intimidation of nearly 100 labor unions, churches, student organizations and civil society groups. Hsu also described restrictions on commemorations such as June 4 events, noting that actions once tolerated in Hong Kong are now prosecuted.

The witnesses pointed to procedural changes in detention and trials. Keelan Gallagher, an international human rights lawyer representing Jimmy Lai, testified that Lai has spent “almost half a decade in solitary confinement” and that U.N. experts have called his detention arbitrary. Gallagher and others warned that prolonged isolation, limited sunlight and restricted legal access raise urgent humanitarian concerns.

Discussion vs. decision: The hearing was a fact‑finding and advocacy forum; senators and witnesses offered legislative recommendations but the subcommittee did not take formal votes or adopt new policy during the session.

Context and next steps: Witnesses urged continued U.S. and allied attention. Sophie Richardson recommended collecting evidence of officials’ complicity in serious abuses and pursuing accountability mechanisms; Olivia Enos and others urged Congress to oppose cuts to U.S. funding for democracy and human‑rights programs and to keep Hong Kong on the policy agenda.

The record will remain open and the subcommittee requested additional written materials from witnesses, the chair said.