US urges China to release eight Americans

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

BEIJING (AFP) — The United States on Saturday urged China to release immediately eight American nationals detained after pro-Tibet protests in Beijing during the Olympic Games.

"We have asked for their immediate release and are continuing to follow their cases closely," embassy spokeswoman Susan Stevenson told AFP.

She said US officials had met with the eight pro-Tibet activists who had not complained of ill-treatment during their detention.

"The US government encourages the government of China to demonstrate respect for human rights, including freedom of expression and freedom of religion of all people during the Olympic Games," Stevenson said.

"We are disappointed that China has not used the occasion of the Olympics to demonstrate greater tolerance...