"While China has seen many changes in the intervening years, we continue to have serious concerns with ongoing violations of human rights in China," the release stated.
In May and June 1989, student-led demonstrations took place in Beijing, triggered by the death of deposed former Communist Party General Secretary and liberal reformer Hu Yaobang. The protests were forcibly suppressed by hardline Chinese leaders who deployed the military to enforce martial law in the country’s capital.
Hundreds of civilians were killed as they tried to block the military from advancing to Tiananmen Square in downtown Beijing, which students and other protesters had occupied for several weeks.
The violations mentioned in the release on Friday include the detention of human rights activists, lawyers, journalists and civil society leaders, as well as increased restrictions on media, expression, association and religious practice.
In the release, the United States alse called on China to respect the universal rights and freedoms of all its citizens.
