On the recordJune 4, 2015
On June 4, 1989, pro-democracy demonstrators were killed by Chinese troops while peacefully advocating for government accountability and political and economic reforms. In the aftermath, the Chinese Government arrested large numbers of protesters and their supporters, prohibited other demonstrations, expelled foreign journalists, and have prohibited discussion or remembrance of these events ever since. Today is a solemn reminder of the state of human rights in China 26 years after Tiananmen Square. Since 2011, Zhu Yufu, a Chinese democracy advocate, Christian dissident, and poet has languished in prison simply for expressing his democratic beliefs. Today, I urge his immediate and unconditional release. As part of the Defending Freedoms Project, my colleagues and I will continue to shine a light on Zhu Yufu's case and that of other prisoners of conscience. I applaud Zhu Yufu and his fellow champions of freedom for their courage. We thank them for their courage. They are not alone. ____________________
