Lawmakers are calling on President Joe Biden to prioritize the release of Americans who are wrongfully detained in China, highlighting how they are serving lengthy prison terms due to acute due process irregularities and spurious charges. They assert that U.S. officials need to intensify efforts to secure their freedom, as many detained Americans are enduring severe mistreatment in Chinese prisons, leading to serious physical and mental health issues. The lawmakers, including Republican Rep. Chris Smith and Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley, have heard testimonies from families of those detained, who are facing legal challenges to help their loved ones.
Despite China denying these allegations and claiming to have treated detained Americans properly, human rights organizations have raised concerns about the well-being of these individuals. While the exact number of unjustly detained U.S. citizens in China remains uncertain, the State Department has acknowledged three cases, including David Lin, who was recently released after a prolonged period of imprisonment. Advocacy groups estimate that there are over 200 Americans facing coercive measures in China, such as restrictive exit bans.
The lawmakers are urging President Biden to address this critical issue in his discussions with Chinese leaders and emphasize the urgency of securing the release of wrongfully detained Americans. They have requested more frequent meetings between White House and State Department officials and the families of those imprisoned, to facilitate transparency and provide updates on potential diplomatic efforts to secure their release. Additionally, they are calling for increased consular visits to detained Americans, longer and more frequent communications with their families, access to legal representation, and proper healthcare.
The letter to President Biden highlights the prolonged suffering of detainees like Kai Li, who was sentenced to 10 years on espionage charges that his family considers baseless, and Mark Swidan, who was convicted on drug-related charges despite not being in China at the time of the alleged crime. The lawmakers stress that Americans should not be used as bargaining chips in economic disputes or coerced through exit bans, which amount to hostage-taking. They emphasize the need for unconditional release of these individuals to improve U.S.-China relations.
At a recent hearing, the son of detained American Kai Li, Harrison Li, shared harrowing details about his father’s deteriorating health in prison, including suffering a stroke, losing a tooth, and being confined to a cell for an extended period due to Covid restrictions. He highlighted the critical window before President Biden leaves office as a crucial opportunity to negotiate for his father’s release. The lawmakers are pushing for stronger advocacy efforts and diplomatic engagement to ensure the timely and fair release of wrongfully detained Americans before the end of Biden’s term.
