Global Citizens Comment on the Detention of a Citizen of the People’s Republic of China in the Russian Federation

The International Movement Global Citizens expresses serious concern over the arrest and pretrial detention of Chen, a citizen of the People’s Republic of China, in the Amur region.

In this regard, Global Citizens calls on the competent authorities of the Russian Federation to respect the detainee’s rights and ensure that all applicable procedural safeguards are observed, including access to qualified legal counsel, interpretation where necessary, and consular assistance.

Global Citizens underscores the need to ensure the detainee’s personal safety, humane treatment, appropriate conditions of detention, and necessary medical care. The Movement stresses that torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment are unacceptable, as is any coercion of the detainee to make statements or falsely incriminate himself.

Without prejudging the outcome of the investigation and judicial proceedings, Global Citizens underscores the need for strict observance of the presumption of innocence and respect for the right to a fair trial.

Global Citizens maintains that respect for human dignity, protection of the detainee’s rights, and access to justice must be ensured regardless of his citizenship or the nature of the charge brought against him.

Global Citizens expresses its support for the detainee’s family and loved ones.

Note: This comment by the International Movement Global Citizens will be formally transmitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Russian Federation for their information.