Jimmy Lai Hong Kong Political Prisoner Accountability Act of 2026

(a) Multilateral engagement. Upon a determination that an individual who is a Hong Kong political prisoner has died while in the custody of the Government of Hong Kong, the Secretary shall—

(1) use the voice, vote, and influence of the United States at the United Nations and other international organizations and multilateral fora—

(A) to formally request that the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights conduct an independent inquiry into the death and the conditions of detention of Hong Kong political prisoners; and

(B) discuss such death at the United Nations Human Rights Council and, where appropriate, the United Nations Security Council or other multi-lateral entities where the United States and the People’s Republic of China are members; and

(2) seek to coordinate sanctions with allies including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and the European Union.

(b) Visa restrictions on family members. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall use any authorities available to impose visa restrictions on adult family members of any covered foreign person sanctioned under section 5(b).

(c) Report on medical care denial. Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on—

(1) the current health status of Jimmy Lai Chee-ying and other Hong Kong political prisoners, to the extent such information is available;

(2) any denial or restriction of medical care, legal access, consular access, or family contact for such Hong Kong political prisoners; and

(3) recommendations for additional measures the United States Government should take to protect the lives and well-being of Hong Kong political prisoners.

(d) Accountability measures. Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall consider, and as appropriate take or recommend to the President, additional steps to address the conduct, policies, or practices that contribute to, or facilitate the mistreatment of, political prisoners in Hong Kong, including conduct that undermines the independent rule of law, facilitates arbitrary detention, or results in the denial of adequate medical care or other protections necessary to ensure the health and safety of persons in custody, including—

(1) determining whether any current or former official of the Government of Hong Kong or the Government of the People’s Republic of China, or any other foreign person, responsible for or complicit in the arbitrary detention, arrest, or prosecution of political prisoners in Hong Kong, or other gross violations of internationally recognized human rights against political prisoners in Hong Kong, meets the criteria for the imposition of sanctions under applicable law;

(2) taking, or recommending that the President take, appropriate action under applicable law with respect to any person determined pursuant to paragraph (1) to meet the criteria for the imposition of sanctions; and

(3) recommending that the President, pursuant to the International Organizations Immunities Act (22 U.S.C. 288 et seq.) withdraw, condition, or limit the privileges, exemptions, and immunities extended to one or more Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices operating in the United States, or to any officer or employee thereof, to the fullest extent permitted by law.