U.S. says it is concerned by ‘erosion of human rights’ in Hong Kong

(Reuters) – The U.S. said it remained seriously concerned by what it called “the continued erosion of human rights” in Hong Kong and urged authorities to release those who were “unjustly detained”.

“We note in particular the increase in politically-motivated prosecutions, including through the National Security Law, targeting Hong Kong’s teachers, labor unions, lawyers, journalists, health care workers, student unions, and individual citizens”, the U.S. State Department said.

Seven Hong Kong democracy campaigners, including former lawmakers, were sentenced on Saturday to up to 12 months in jail for their role in a protest last year against a national security law imposed by China.