12-10-2023 (WASHINGTON) The United States has called on China to provide information regarding the whereabouts and condition of human rights lawyer Lu Siwei, who was reportedly sent back to China from Laos. This development comes amidst growing concerns over the Chinese government’s treatment of activists and dissidents.
Lu Siwei was arrested in Laos on July 28 while attempting to travel to the United States to reunite with his wife and daughter. Rights groups have revealed that he was detained by Lao police as he was boarding a train bound for Thailand, on charges of using fraudulent travel documents. Lu had been known for taking on politically sensitive cases, including the representation of 12 Hong Kong citizens who were arrested by the Chinese coastguard in 2020 while attempting to flee to Taiwan.
The strained relations between the United States and China have been marked by ongoing tensions over various issues, such as human rights, the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, allegations of espionage, Taiwan, and trade tariffs. The case of Lu Siwei adds to the growing list of concerns regarding human rights violations in China.
In response to the situation, the U.S. State Department issued a statement condemning the forced repatriation of Lu Siwei at the request of Chinese authorities. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller called on China to confirm Lu’s current location and allow external verification of his well-being, including access for medical professionals to address his chronic health condition. The statement also emphasized the importance of granting Lu access to a lawyer of his choosing.
Lu Siwei had previously been disbarred in 2021 following an online speech that was deemed to have “endangered national security.” Chinese authorities had placed him under an “exit ban,” restricting his travel. Amnesty International has reported that Lu’s family has been informed by Chinese authorities that he is currently held at the Xindu Detention Centre in Sichuan province, southwestern China.
