Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Sen. Jeffrey Merkley (D-OR) ask President Joe Biden to confront China about its human rights violations and seek the liberation of political detainees. The letter, written on Nov. 8, encourages a formal submission of a list of these political prisoners at the "Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders' Meeting."
According to the letter penned by Smith and Merkley, over the last 10 years, officials from the People's Republic of China (PRC) have consistently declined to acknowledge the lists of political prisoners provided by the United States while also restricting access to details regarding the treatment and whereabouts of these detainees. The chairmen cite research from the “Dui Hua Foundation,” which has reportedly shown that simply naming an individual on such a list significantly increases their chances of receiving clemency, with authorities occasionally intervening in specific cases despite not officially acknowledging these lists. The letter states that with recent indications from PRC officials showing a readiness to reengage in human rights discussions with other nations, it becomes increasingly vital to highlight the plight of these prisoners by presenting a new list.
In the letter, the chairmen list several individuals, including Gulshan Abbas, Ekpar Asat, David Lin, Mark Swidan and several others. The letter explains the various dubious charges levied against these people and the secrecy of their detainment. In many of the cases, the letter states, the individuals have ties to the United States and have been “tortured or denied critical medical care."
The letter also suggests that the U.S. Secretary of State create a list of individuals unjustly detained in the “Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region” with family in the United States. The document notes that the Chinese government uses tactics to discourage family members living abroad from speaking out. The letter further urges the administration to advocate for these detainees, ensuring their rights to religion, speech and movement as per international law. The letter emphasizes the importance of diplomatic efforts in supporting individuals fighting for fundamental human rights and freedoms in China and globally, with a call to ensure that the plight of political prisoners remains a key focus in international relations.
