Sen. Cruz, Texas Colleagues Introduce Resolution Calling for Release of Texan Mark Swidan, Wrongfully Detained in China
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today introduced a resolution calling for the release of Mark Swidan, a Houston, Texas resident who has been unjustly detained by China since 2012.
The resolution is cosponsored by Sen. Cornyn (R-Texas) and U.S. Representative Michael Cloud (R-Texas) introduced the resolution in the House. Last May, Sen. Cruz sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the State Department calling for them to take urgent action to secure Swidan’s release.
Sen. Cruz said:
“Mark Swidan’s captivity must come to an end for himself, for his family, and for the United States. Secretary Blinken’s upcoming trip to Beijing should be the final chapter in this tragedy. I am calling on the Biden administration to use all the tools at our disposal to secure his release, and on the government of China to finally release him and return him home.”
Sen. Cornyn said:
“For the last decade, Mark Swidan’s family has tirelessly fought for his return after he was wrongfully detained and sentenced to death by the Chinese government. The human rights abuses Mark has suffered at the hands of the Chinese Communist Party are horrific, and I will continue to push the Biden administration to expedite his case and secure his release.”
Rep. Cloud said:
“I am grateful to work with Senator Cruz and fellow Texas members in introducing this resolution advocating for the immediate release of Mark Swidan and condemning the People’s Republic of China. Bringing Mark Swidan home to his family should be a top priority for this administration. Too many innocent Americans remain wrongfully imprisoned by authoritarian regimes who are happy to collect human lives as a capital for future political bargaining. Mark Swidan has been detained for over 10 years. He and his loved ones have remained strong these 10 years, and I am committed to ensuring that he can return to Texas.”
Read the resolution here.
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