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Risch, Coons Call for the Release of Ekpar Asat

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement on the seventh anniversary of Ekpar Asat’s detention by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP):

“Seven years ago, Ekpar Asat went missing in Xinjiang – detained by the CCP for his Uyghur identity. Ekpar is a son, brother, entrepreneur, and recipient of the State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program.

“The Chinese government should release Ekpar immediately. At minimum, the CCP should move him to Urumqi, allow him contact with his family and legal counsel, and ensure he has proper health care. We will continue advocating for Ekpar and his family.”

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