The months-long movement for democracy in Hong Kong last year has won a Freedom Award for its leaderless, society-driven efforts that have inspired the world and the commitment of Hong Kong people to defend their own rights under increasing repression from the Chinese government.

The annual award is organized by the Freedom House, a non-profit organization based in Washington and funded by the United States government. It aims to honor courageous individuals and innovative groups that have made significant contributions to the cause of human rights and democracy.

The organizers said that amid the Chinese government’s heightened repression at home and expanded efforts to export its authoritarianism abroad, two million people in Hong Kong stood together in defense of the rights and freedoms they were supposed to enjoy under Hong Kong law.

“Beijing’s sudden imposition of a repressive new national security law, however, has made these efforts tremendously dangerous,” the Freedom House said.

“Yet the people of Hong Kong remain committed to defending their rights for future generations in new and creative ways.”

Nathan Law, a self-exiled Hong Kong pro-democracy activist, will speak during the event. Law left his home city in July, shortly after Beijing on June 30 imposed the national security legislation, which has since been heavily criticised by the West.

The young activist said it would be his honor to speak out for Hong Kong at this important event in US political circles. He hoped that the Hong Kong protests would continue to attract international attention.

The Freedom House 2020 Annual Awards will be broadcast live on the web at 7 p.m. U.S. time on Sept. 16. The Hong Kong democracy movement is one of three award recipients this year, the other two being the Sudanese Professional Association and the Organization of the December Revolution Martyrs' Families.

Founded in 1941 in New York, the Freedom House works to defend fundamental freedoms and promote democracy around the world. Michael Abramowitz, the president of the Freedom House, is among 11 Americans subjected to sanctions imposed by the Chinese government in retaliation for similar measures issued by the US government.

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