Labor joins the Government in its objection to the formal indictment of Australian citizen and academic, Dr Yang Hengjun, in China on suspicion of espionage.
Dr Yang has been detained for over a year, during which Labor has expressed our concern for his treatment in detention.
Labor strongly supports the Governments advocacy for Dr Yang and is disappointed that he has not received basic standards of justice or procedural fairness, and that his charges remain unclear.
Labor is also distressed that Australian consular officials have not been permitted contact with Dr Yang since December 2019. In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak and given Dr Yangs health concerns, it is vital that Australian officials are granted consular access.
Labor affirms the Governments statement that the Australian Government will always support Dr Yang.
We join the Governments call for Dr Yangs immediate release and that he be allowed to leave China and travel to Australia with his wife.
Authorised by Paul Erickson, ALP, Canberra.
Dr Yang Hengjun
25 March 2020
