Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Two Republican lawmakers say the Trump administration must criticize China's human rights record.
The call comes after the U.S. wouldn't join other countries in criticizing China for alleged torture of lawyers.
Sen. Marco Rubio says the abstention sent a "disturbing message to democracy advocates." He says the U.S. must highlight "brutal repression against Chinese human rights lawyers and activists."
Britain, Germany, Canada and eight others signed a letter raising the concerns and urging China to investigate claims that lawyer Xie Yang and others were tortured.
Some activists saw the U.S. abstention as evidence the Trump administration is de-emphasizing human rights promotion.
Rep. Chris Smith, a longtime critic of Beijing, says he expects President Donald Trump to raise China's "abysmal record" with President Xi Jinping at Mar-a-Lago next month.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.