Allow Public Discussion of Tiananmen Protests, US Tells China

The lawmakers wrote that it is unfortunate that the Chinese people are unable to mark this important event.

A letter was addressed to Chinese President Xi Jinping by US lawmakers to allow public discussions of the protests that took place in the Tiananmen Square in 1989. (Photo: Reuters)

Ahead of the 27th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square incident , a group of US lawmakers has asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to lift restrictions on public discussions of the protests, and release individuals who are detained for commemorating the event.

In a letter dated 2 June, the lawmakers said:

In addition to allowing uncensored, public discussion of the Tiananmen protests and the government’s response, we ask that you end efforts to retaliate against those who participated in the protests, particularly the former student leaders.

Civilians hold rocks as they stand on a government armored vehicle near Chang’an Boulevard in Beijing in a file photo of the protests on 4 June 1989. (Photo: AP/Jeff Widener)

The letter was sent by Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), which was created by the Congress in 2000 to monitor human rights and the development of the rule of law in China.

It added:

The spirit of the 1989 protests, the sacrifices made by the protestors, and their peaceful demands for reform and universally recognised freedoms, continue to inspire international admiration and respect.

The lawmakers wrote that it was unfortunate that so many former student leaders have made important contributions to global understanding of China but that the Chinese people themselves are unable to mark this event.

Hundreds and possibly thousands of unarmed protesters and onlookers were killed when tanks and soldiers entered central Beijing on 3-4 June 1989, to put down the student-led protests which were demanding democracy in the country.

(With PTI inputs)