Wives of detained Chinese lawyers appeal for US help
The women tell a congressional hearing in Washington of torture, and ask President Donald Trump to take up their cases with China
Wives of Chinese human rights lawyers who have been detained by the authorities called on Washington to press Beijing to free detainees and end the use of torture in a unique joint appearance at a congressional hearing on Thursday.
Four women appeared in person at the hearing and two others spoke in a pre-recorded video messages. All those who had been able to contact their husbands said the men had suffered harsh treatment in detention, including torture.
It is doubtful their appeals will gain traction with President Donald Trump, who has dialled back US human rights criticism of China while seeking its cooperation on trade and North Korea.
Trump also has shifted from an initially confrontational stance on the touchy issue of Taiwan, which China regards as part of its territory. Taiwan split from the mainland in 1949 and is self-governing.
The hearing was chaired by Republican Chris Smith, an arch-critic of Beijing. It focused on the plight of around 250 lawyers and legal assistants detained in a 2015 crackdown. Most were released, but four were convicted on charges of subversion and a dozen others remain detained, and are likely to face trial, Smith said.