Editor's note: Ssemanda Allawi is a PhD. candidate specializing in international relations and diplomacy, and the author of "Global Governance and Norm Contestation: How BRICS is Reshaping World Order." The article reflects the author's opinions, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

On November 19, the U.S. Senate passed what they called the "Hong Kong Democracy and Human Rights Act," paving the way for the U.S. State Department to annually assess developments in Hong Kong and advise Washington if the U.S should change its so-called unique treatment of the city with possibility of calling for sanctions on those who Washington deems responsible for "human rights violations" in Hong Kong.

While the U.S. Senate claims the act is meant to protect "democracy" and "human rights," the Senate has ignored facts at hand. The very protesters it has branded "pro-democracy" are radical and very violent.

The very protesters the U.S. Senate is now lauding have caused untold suffering with their violent riots from causing mayhem and destroying both public and private property to burning a person alive and killing a man with a brick for simply not rioting.

But pictures don't lie. Watching news on the television or the internet, seeing the rioters throwing petrol-bombs at police, vandalizing metro stations, blocking roads and burning vehicles beats common sense when one refers to such crowds as pro-democracy.

In a civilized society, it should be making people concerned. Backing them only encourages violence by making it seem acceptable, which is a big threat to the peace and stability of our societies.

As Malcolm X once observed, evil prevails in the world because we are not angry enough. It is in that spirit that seeing people praising people using violence to achieve their objectives should really make all peace-loving people angry, concerned and condemn such behaviors.

In my view, the U.S. Senate's failure to condemn the brutal killing of a man by setting him ablaze or discouraging acts of violence and destruction but instead preferring to voice its admiration and support for those behind the act sets a very bad example and exposes the U.S.' hypocrisy and double standards.

It does not make sense to condone violent acts, including the killing of innocent people, and at the same time claim to be a defender of human rights.

U.S. Senate's ridiculous move with its so-called "Hong Kong Democracy Act" coinciding with key witnesses testifying in the congress impeachment inquiry against U.S. President Donald Trump, who is accused of seeking foreign assistance in affairs of the United States, makes it clear that the U.S. officials are inconsistent with what they preach and exposes the hypocrisy of their institutions.

It is also a false belief that Washington is the world's moral leader. Its thirst to police the world is called libido-dominandi  in Latin.

U.S. lawmakers accuse Trump of calling on Ukraine to meddle in U.S. affairs, with allegations that he asked for a "favor" from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Juxtapose that with U.S. senators voting on the same day for an act expressing support for violent protesters in a foreign and independent country, and the institutional deceit and hypocrisy is clear. It is a textbook example of double standards, which is against international norms.

That notwithstanding, it is important for U.S. lawmakers to understand that under "One country, Two systems," interfering in Hong Kong's affairs is interfering in China's internal affairs, which is not only against international laws but also unacceptable, as it disrespects the sovereignty of an independent state.

As President Trump noted during his September UN address, "Wise leaders always put the good of their own people and their own country first." Therefore, the U.S. has to recognize that Hong Kong belongs to China and will be handled by Beijing.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com)