Daily press briefing

M2 Presswire

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QUESTION: Do you have anything to say about the latest arrests in China of Falun Gong?

MR. RUBIN: Yes. With respect to the Chinese arrests, let me say that we continue to see the arrest and detention of persons peacefully expressing spiritual beliefs as a matter that profoundly disturbs us. Such detentions are in direct contravention of internationally recognized standards of human rights that are enshrined in international human rights instruments, to which China has acceded. The right to freedom of expression and freedom of speech and association and conscience are fundamental human rights.

China has accepted that, and that's all these people want to be able to do.

We call on the Chinese Government to cease its crackdown on the Falun Gong, release all those in custody for the peaceful expression of their beliefs, and guarantee the rights of citizens to freedom of speech, conscience and association and peaceful assembly that China itself undertook by signing international human rights instruments.

QUESTION: Do you suppose they know that this hurts their chances of getting what some people call trade advantages - other people call normal trade preferences?

MR. RUBIN: I suppose that China has the ability to understand the consequences of its actions, and I don't know precisely what their calculus was. But -whatever their calculus was, we oppose it.

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