美国务院促中国立即无条件撤销对浦志强的定罪

choi

VOA Chinese, Dec 22, 2015.
www.voachinese.com/content/voa-n ... 151222/3113939.html

Note: In chronological order.
(a) John Kirby (spokesman), Press Statement: Trial of Pu Zhiqiang. US Department of State, Dec 22, 2015.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/index.htm
(b) Elizabeth Trudeau (Director, Press Office), Daily Press Briefing. US US Department of State, Dec 22, 2015.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/index.htm

The pertinent portion (which is question 1) of the transcript:

"MS TRUDEAU:  Hi.  Welcome to the State Department.  I have nothing from the top, so let’s open it up.

Lesley.

"QUESTION:  Can I – I just want to pick up on your statement now about Mr. Pu’s suspended sentence.

"MS TRUDEAU:  Mm-hmm.

"QUESTION:  What do you mean by that the U.S. wishes that the sentence be vacated?  Are you asking for it to be withdrawn?

"MS TRUDEAU:  Well, what we’re saying is, as you’ve seen the statement, the U.S. welcomes reports that Pu Zhiqiang, a prominent Chinese defense lawyer, has been released from detention.  We are disturbed, however, that Mr. Pu was convicted and given a three-year suspended sentence following 19 months of imprisonment on vague charges of “inciting ethnic hatred” and “picking quarrels and provoking trouble.”  We urge Chinese authorities to vacate that conviction immediately and unconditionally.  Mr. Pu Zhiqiang is a courageous defense attorney, recognized around the world for his work to strengthen the rule of law in China.  Civil society leaders should be allowed to contribute to the building of a prosperous and stable China.

I would note, as we have on many occasions, we remain – as we have expressed on many occasions, we remain concerned by the systemic pattern of arrest and detention of public interest lawyers, internet activists, journalists, religious leaders, and others who peacefully question official Chinese policies and action.  We believe they should be embraced as partners and not enemies of the government.  We continue to call upon China to uphold fundamental civil rights and fair trial guarantees, as enshrined in China’s constitution and its international human rights commitments.

"QUESTION:  Coming back to that word “vacate” because it doesn’t quite make sense to me on --

"MS TRUDEAU:  To set it aside.

"QUESTION:  So you want to set it aside, to withdraw it?

"MS TRUDEAU:  We do.

"QUESTION:  Okay.  Thank you.