The Political Prisoners Xi Jinping Doesn't Want the World to See
Date
September 15, 2026 – 3:30PM
– 4:30PM EDT
Location
Hybrid
Freedom House
1225 I Street NW
Washington, DC 20005
As Chinese leader Xi Jinping prepares to visit Washington in September, much of the public conversation will focus on trade, security, technology, and strategic competition. Yet no discussion of the U.S.-China relationship is complete without acknowledging the Chinese Communist Party's systematic assault on fundamental freedoms. Behind every statistic is a person: a journalist imprisoned for telling the truth, a pastor jailed for practicing his faith, a democracy advocate sentenced for demanding free elections, a Uyghur or Tibetan detained for their identity, or a family separated for exercising basic human rights.
Freedom House will convene former political prisoners, family members of those still unjustly detained, and leading human rights advocates for a timely event on the human cost of the CCP’s repression. Their stories are a powerful reminder that, even amid diplomatic engagement and geopolitical negotiations, the rights and dignity of those persecuted by the Chinese government must not be forgotten. The event will both condemn the Chinese government's ongoing campaign of political imprisonment and honor the resilience, courage, and hope demonstrated by those who have survived persecution and by the families who continue to fight for the release of loved ones still behind bars.
This event will affirm a simple principle: economic and strategic interests should never eclipse the universal rights and freedoms that define human dignity.
Speakers include:
Bethany Allen, Head of China Investigations and Analysis, Australian Strategic Policy Institute
Rayhan Asat, Senior Legal & Policy Advisor and China Lead, Atlantic Council
Jamie Fly, CEO, Freedom House
Grace Jin Drexel, Daughter of Pastor Ezra Jin; Advocacy Director, Luke Alliance
- Ezra Jin Mingri, Pastor, Zion Church of Beijing
Sophie Luo, Human Rights Advocate
Additional speakers to be announced.
RSVP required for in-person attendance by 5:00 PM ET, Thursday, September 10. In-person space is limited due to high demand and subject to final approval by Freedom House.