Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton regarding the sentencing of Dr Xu Zhiyong and the trials of other human rights activists in China

EU News 165/2014

Brussels, 11 April 2014
140411/02

The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission, issued the following statement today:

“The EU is  deeply concerned by the confirmation on appeal of the four-year prison sentence handed down to human rights defender Dr Xu Zhiyong as well as by the ongoing trials of human rights defenders who have been prosecuted in relation to their peaceful action against corruption and public advocacy of the rule of law, transparency and social justice.

The EU reiterates its call on the Chinese authorities to release all the individuals who are imprisoned or detained for the peaceful expression of their views and guarantee the protections and freedoms that they are entitled to under international human rights law and China's constitution.”

Source and additional information:
http://eeas.europa.eu/statements/docs/2014/140411_02_en.pdf

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