Secretary of State John Blinken issued a statement on April 16 condemning the sentencing of seven Hong Kong pro-democracy leaders by Chinese and Hong Kong authorities.
Here is a full translation of Blinken’s statement.
The United States condemns the sentencing of seven pro-democracy leaders on politically motivated charges. North Beijing and Hong Kong authorities targeted Hong Kong people for doing nothing more than exercising their protected rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of speech.
Today’s sentencing is yet another example of how the People’s Republic of China and the Hong Kong authorities are undermining the protected rights and fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the Basic Law and the Sino-British Joint Declaration in order to eliminate all forms of dissent. These seven democratic leaders – Martin Lee, Lai Chi-ying, Albert Ho, Ng Yi-yee, Ho Sau-lan, Lee Cheuk-yan and Leung Kwok-hung – participated in a peaceful rally attended by 1.7 million Hong Kong people. The verdict handed down against them is at odds with the non-violent nature of their actions.
The binding international agreement, the Sino-British Joint Declaration, guarantees Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy, and Hong Kong people are entitled to the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law. We will continue to stand with the people of Hong Kong as they respond to Beijing’s attacks on their freedom and autonomy, and we will not stop demanding the release of those detained or imprisoned for exercising their fundamental freedoms.
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