Rights Groups Urge Beijing to Free Detainees Before Xi's 2026 US Visit

A coalition of human rights, democracy, and religious freedom organizations has issued a formal open letter to Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping. The signatories urge the Chinese leadership to take specific corrective actions before his scheduled visit to Washington, DC, on September 24, 2026. According to the letter, these steps are intended to address long-standing concerns regarding systematic violations of domestic and international legal obligations.

The organizations state that Xi has assumed power in late 2012, during which time they have documented widespread human rights crimes. The letter highlights that communities in Tibet and Xinjiang continue to face measures designed to erase their cultural identity and language. Furthermore, the authors express concern over the suppression of civic culture in Hong Kong and the persecution of journalists, lawyers, and faith leaders across China.

Specific Demands for Legal Reforms

The primary request in the letter is the immediate and unconditional release of prisoners of conscience. This includes individuals arbitrarily detained for their activism or their family members' advocacy. The signatories specifically name several high-profile figures, including Dr. Gulshan Abbas, Pastor Gao Quanfu, and the 11th Panchen Lama, urging their freedom as a precondition for improved diplomatic relations.

In addition to releasing detainees, the organizations ask Beijing to announce its intent to repeal or amend laws they argue breach international human rights standards. The letter specifically cites the 2020 Hong Kong National Security Law and the newly imposed Ethnic Unity and Progress Law. The authors contend that these statutes stand in stark contrast to China's obligations under international law.

Addressing Transnational Reppression Tactics

The letter also addresses the issue of transnational repression, describing efforts to silence speech and limit conduct outside of China's borders. Many signatories report being harassed, stalked, or surveilled in the United States by authorities or proxies linked to the Chinese government. Some US-based activists have had their family members targeted in retaliation for their work, a practice the letter describes as collective punishment.

The organizations express support for US and other governments' efforts to investigate and prosecute these extralegal activities. They commit to continuing their documentation of such violations for as long as necessary. The letter calls for a public affirmation that all members of the visiting delegation will refrain from retaliatory actions against protesters or resistance movements during the visit.

Diplomatic Implications for the Visit

The coalition warns that absent these specific steps, the visit will likely deepen global public concern regarding the government's intentions. The letter suggests that without tangible improvements in human rights conditions, the diplomatic engagement may fail to mitigate criticism. Instead, it may serve to highlight the gap between stated commitments and documented realities on the ground.

According to hrichina.org, the letter serves as a final appeal for accountability ahead of the September summit. The organizations maintain that releasing prisoners and repealing restrictive laws would diminish the criticism surrounding the visit. The forward question remains whether Beijing will accept these conditions or proceed with the trip without addressing the core grievances raised by international human rights advocates.