Today, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chair of the Congressional Executive Commission on China and member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, introduced the “FREEDOM for Gao Zhisheng Act” (HR 5303), legislation to require a coordinated U.S. strategy to secure the release of human rights defenders and political prisoners unjustly detained by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and Hong Kong authorities. Representatives Tom Suozzi (D-NY) and John Moolenaar (R-MI) joined Smith as cosponsors of this bipartisan legislation.

                The legislation is named for Gao Zhisheng, a famed Chinese human rights lawyer, who has not been seen or heard from since 2017.

                “Advocating for political prisoners abroad is not just a moral obligation—it is central to America’s national interests,” said Smith, a senior lawmaker and China policy expert.

                “The competition between the United States and the CCP is, in essence, a contest between freedom and repression,” noted Smith, who has chaired more than 107 congressional hearings on human rights abuses in China. “If we hope to shape a world that respects human dignity and the rule of law, we must stand with those in China and Hong Kong who are peacefully fighting for these values.”

                Smith’s legislation builds on longstanding, bipartisan commitments to political prisoner advocacy and expands U.S. diplomatic engagement to ensure that cases like Gao Zhisheng’s and Jimmy Lai's—a pro-democracy advocate and media entrepreneur, who has been unjustly imprisoned by Hong Kong authorities at the behest of the CCP—are not left behind in high-level negotiations.

                Key provisions of HR 5303 include:

• A detailed report on U.S. government efforts since 2006 to secure the release of Gao Zhisheng, including diplomatic advocacy, responses from Chinese officials, and the use of sanctions;
•  A government-wide strategy for embedding political prisoner advocacy into all diplomatic encounters with the People’s Republic of China (PRC);
• Designation of a point person at the State Department to coordinate interagency efforts and liaise with families;
• Comprehensive use of prisoner lists and issue briefs to support congressional and executive advocacy; and
• Regular updates and public diplomacy efforts to keep these cases on the global stage.

                “Gao Zhisheng, Jimmy Lai, and countless others have been unjustly imprisoned for doing what every American takes for granted—speaking freely, defending the vulnerable, practicing their faith, and advocating for justice,” said the renowned human rights legislator.

                “Experience has shown that sustained international advocacy can improve conditions for prisoners, shorten sentences, and even lead to releases. Congress and the United States at large must not allow these courageous individuals to be forgotten.”

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Contact:
Teagan Gambert, Communications Director
(202) 225-3765
http://chrissmith.house.gov