China's 'affront' to universal rights continues with sanctions against USCIRF officials: Blinken
China's 'affront' to universal rights continues with sanctions against USCIRF officials: Blinken
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Washington : Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed support with the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, saying that China’s sanctions on four USCIRF officials are yet another “affront” to human rights. The People’s Republic of China (PRC) sanctioned four USCIRF commissioners last month, including Chair Nadine Maenza, Vice Chair Nury Turkel, and Commissioners Anurima Bhargava and James W. Carr.

The Secretary of State stated that these efforts will not dissuade Washington, and that the USCIRF and its employees have Washington’s support. “The PRC has already sanctioned three additional current or former USCIRF commissioners, as well as dozens of current or former US officials and organisations working to promote democracy and human rights around the world – all of which are unfounded. These actions haven’t deterred us, and we stand with USCIRF and its staff.

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“The United States is determined to defending human rights around the world,” Blinken said in a statement. “We will continue to use all diplomatic and economic methods available to encourage accountability.” Beijing’s continued attempts to compel and silence human rights activists, he said, only add to the growing international scrutiny of Xinjiang’s ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity.

“The US once again urges the PRC to end its acts of transnational repression, including the coercive practises of imprisoning and limiting freedom of movement to family members of Uyghur American activists, particularly those serving the American people. These actions jeopardise the international system founded on rules “said the Secretary of State. He went on to say, “We support and stand with people who speak up on behalf of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of religion or believe.”

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