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US seeks immediate release of Olympic protesters
Washington's top diplomat in China pressed the government to immediately free foreign activists jailed for protesting at the Olympics, and criticised Beijing on Sunday for failing to use the games to show "greater tolerance and openness."
- AP
- Published: 11:03 August 24, 2008
Beijing: Washington's top diplomat in China pressed the government to immediately free foreign activists jailed for protesting at the Olympics, and criticised Beijing on Sunday for failing to use the games to show "greater tolerance and openness."
Chinese police have sentenced at least 10 foreigners to 10 days of detention for protesting during the games, including eight Americans, a German and a British citizen. The activists were among small groups of demonstrators who have sought to raise China's tough rule in Tibet, its rights record and other issues during the Beijing Games.
Most protesters were quickly dragged away by security forces and, in the first week of the 17-day event, escorted out of China within days. But some activists caught in the past week have been kept in custody under rules that allow officials to hold them without charge for up to 14 days.
British and US officials are seeking the quick release of their citizens.
US consular officials met with eight detained Americans on Friday, the US Embassy said in a statement. They had not made any claims of maltreatment at the hands of Chinese officials, the statement said.
Ambassador Clark T. Randt Jr. pressed the Chinese government on Saturday to immediately release the Americans, the statement said. U.S. officials would continue to raise concerns about the detentions with senior Chinese officials.
"We are disappointed that China has not used the occasion of the Olympics to demonstrate greater tolerance and openness," the statement said.
It urged China to show respect for human rights, freedom of speech and religion.
Britain's Foreign Office also issued a statement confirming the detention of a British citizen and urging the Chinese government "to respect its commitment to freedom of expression."
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