House passes resolution commemorating victims of Tiananmen Square violence

The House unanimously passed a resolution on Tuesday commemorating the victims of violent suppression during the Tiananmen Square protests in Chinaand calling on Beijing to respect human rights.

Its passage comes on the 30th anniversary of the massacre, in which hundreds of people were killed or wounded by the People’s Liberation Army.

The resolution — introduced by Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) — states that “despite persistent, ongoing, and sometimes brutal repression, there continue to be Chinese citizens bravely seeking to exercise universally recognized human rights, ensure the rule of law, and promote political reform thus carrying on the legacy of the Tiananmen demonstrations.”

The non-binding measure “expresses sympathy and solidarity to the families of those killed, tortured, and imprisoned for their participation in the pro-democracy demonstrations” and calls on the country’s government to “support a full, transparent, and independent accounting of the government’s actions and number of deaths that occurred during the violent suppression.”

It also urges China to allow those living in exile outside of the county after being “blacklisted” due to their participation in the protest the option to return to the country without retribution or repercussions in addition to condemning ongoing restrictions on human rights.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said she feels it’s important the chamber not just remember the tragedy, but record their condemnation of the human rights violations in the official proceedings.

“They stood up for freedom only to be cut down by a hail of bullets and a line of tanks,” she said on the floor ahead of the vote.

“… With this resolution, this Congress pledges to the Tiananmen generation that we will never forget. With the spirit of the Tiananmen protestors in our hearts, we pledge to continue to work for our shared dreams, the dream of the day when the world’s most populous  nation can be called the largest democracy.”