The US demands the immediate release of human rights workers from China

The United States has called on Beijing to immediately release free-lance journalists and women’s rights activists Huang Jueqin Sophia Huang and labor rights activist Wang Jianbing, saying they were unfairly sentenced.

“We urge China to immediately release Huang and Wang, as well as others who have been unjustly detained for exercising their fundamental freedoms,” said a statement signed by US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.

Chinese authorities sentenced Huang to five years and Wang to three years and six months in prison after a long investigation and trial.

Furthermore, the US State Department urged China to uphold its promise to respect human rights, including freedom of expression and fair trials.

“We call on the People’s Republic of China to fulfill its international commitments and respect human rights, including the guarantee of freedom of expression and fair trials. We also urge the acceptance of many of the recommendations made this year during the Universal Periodic Review of Human Rights Records,” the statement said.

During China’s Mitu movement, Huang created a social media platform for victims to report sexual harassment. He shared surveys showing that sexual harassment is a concern at universities and workplaces, according to The Voice of America. In 2019, he was arrested for participating in the Hong Kong protests.

According to VOA, Wang has been an advocate for workers’ rights and people with disabilities since 2014.

Huang plans to appeal the sentence, according to the online support group Free Huang Jueqing and Wang Jianbing.