(New York) – As Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Washington, DC, for a state visit, Human Rights Watch urged United States President Barack Obama to welcome independent civil society representatives into the White House. The state visit will be held September 24-25, 2015.
“The US has a long list of issues to negotiate with China, but defending human rights, which are under serious assault by Xi’s leadership, should also be a top priority,” said Sophie Richardson, China director at Human Rights Watch. “One way to stem the tide of repression – and be as tough with China as the US is with other governments – is for Obama to visibly, personally engage with representatives of that embattled community.”
