Tiananmen Square Is None of Your Business, Congress

[mRx 16]

Statement before the US House of Representatives, June 3, 2009

By Ron Paul

I rise to oppose this unnecessary and counter-productive resolution regarding the 20th anniversary of the incident in China’s Tiananmen Square. In addition to my concerns over the content of this legislation, I strongly object to the manner in which it was brought to the floor for a vote. While the resolution was being debated on the House floor, I instructed my staff to obtain a copy so that I could read it before the vote. My staff was told by no less than four relevant bodies within the House of Representatives that the text was not available for review and would not be available for another 24 hours. It is unacceptable for Members of the House of Representatives to be asked to vote on legislation that is not available for them to read!

As to the substance of the resolution, I find it disturbing that the House is going out of its way to meddle in China’s domestic politics, which is none of our business, while ignoring the many pressing issues in our own country that definitely are our business.

This resolution “calls on the People’s Republic of China to invite full and independent investigations into the Tiananmen Square crackdown, assisted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the International Committee of the Red Cross…” Where do we get the authority for such a demand? I wonder how the US government would respond if China demanded that the United Nations conduct a full and independent investigation into the treatment of detainees at the US-operated Guantanamo facility?

The resolution “calls on the legal authorities of People’s Republic of China to review immediately the cases of those still imprisoned for participating in the 1989 protests for compliance with internationally recognized standards of fairness and due process in judicial proceedings.” In light of US government’s extraordinary renditions of possibly hundreds of individuals into numerous secret prisons abroad where they are held indefinitely without charge or trial, one wonders what the rest of the world makes of such US demands. It is hard to exercise credible moral authority in the world when our motto toward foreign governments seems to be “do as we say, not as we do.”

While we certainly do not condone government suppression of individual rights and liberties wherever they may occur, why are we not investigating these abuses closer to home and within our jurisdiction? It seems the House is not interested in investigating allegations that US government officials and employees approved and practiced torture against detainees. Where is the Congressional investigation of the US-operated “secret prisons” overseas? What about the administration’s assertion of the right to detain individuals indefinitely without trial? It may be easier to point out the abuses and shortcomings of governments overseas than to address government abuses here at home, but we have the constitutional obligation to exercise our oversight authority in such matters. I strongly believe that addressing these current issues would be a better use of our time than once again condemning China for an event that took place some 20 years ago.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I agree.

[almaty 19]

While we certainly do not condone government suppression of individual rights and liberties wherever they may occur, why are we not investigating these abuses closer to home and within our jurisdiction? It seems the House is not interested in investigating allegations that US government officials and employees approved and practiced torture against detainees. Where is the Congressional investigation of the US-operated “secret prisons” overseas? What about the administration’s assertion of the right to detain individuals indefinitely without trial? It may be easier to point out the abuses and shortcomings of governments overseas than to address government abuses here at home, but we have the constitutional obligation to exercise our oversight authority in such matters..

spot on, ron!

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Ron will insist on harping on and on about things that are nothing more than business as usual.

He's right that on current performance our lecturing other countries on human rights abuses is duplicitous, what with Guantanamo Bay and all.

But we are part of an international community that does place some unified value on political freedoms and human rights. Whether such objections are token or not, whether they exert influence or not, there's nothing wrong really with raising awareness of outrageous atrocities.

[AlHayatZween 2]

Exactly, can we mind our own house for a change?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Ron will insist on harping on and on about things that are nothing more than business as usual.

He's right that on current performance our lecturing other countries on human rights abuses is duplicitous, what with Guantanamo Bay and all.

But we are part of an international community that does place some unified value on political freedoms and human rights. Whether such objections are token or not, whether they exert influence or not, there's nothing wrong really with raising awareness of outrageous atrocities.

Good points.

[caybee 21]

Happy Chinese Internet Maintenance Day!

[_Simpson_ 250]

As to the substance of the resolution, I find it disturbing that the House is going out of its way to meddle in China’s domestic politics, which is none of our business, while ignoring the many pressing issues in our own country that definitely are our business.

I think when things like this happen it is our business, to stand by and do nothing is just not acceptable. We have gotten alot of heat over the years about Guantanamo and I didnt hear Ron Paul saying it was none of there business.

Also Obama has been trying to right the wrongs he believes happened in Guantanamo along with other Democrats.

[Ban Hammer 13,337]

i'd like to think congress has more important things to do than this.

[Kar98 0]

Statement before the US House of Representatives, June 3, 2009

By Ron Paul

As to the substance of the resolution, I find it disturbing that the House is going out of its way to meddle in China’s domestic politics, which is none of our business, while ignoring the many pressing issues in our own country that definitely are our business.

This resolution “calls on the People’s Republic of China to invite full and independent investigations into the Tiananmen Square crackdown, assisted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the International Committee of the Red Cross…” Where do we get the authority for such a demand? I wonder how the US government would respond if China demanded that the United Nations conduct a full and independent investigation into the treatment of detainees at the US-operated Guantanamo facility?

You know who else thought the events on Tiananmen Square 20 yrs ago where nothing but a swell way of China dealing with internal unrest, and that it was nobody's business but the Chinese?

Egon Krenz, communist leader (for a very brief time) of East Germany

[natty bumppo 297]

i'd like to think congress has more important things to do than this.

this must be the change that obama was bring to the gov't

[_Simpson_ 250]

i'd like to think congress has more important things to do than this.

Its the anniversary and seems justified to me.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

That Congress is marking an anniversary doesn't mean that that's *all* they're doing.

[The_Dude 1,142]

Ron Paul may be a Republican, but only in name and title. He's more of a Libertarian. I agre with the first point that it is irresponsible for members of congress to be expected to vote on legislature that is not available to review prior to a vote. I also agree that it is not our business to meddle in the foreign affairs of other nations. Beyond this, what would a resolution that calls on China to investigate the actions of that event accomplish? The events of that day are a fait accompli, and an investigation does little more than irritate the Chinese with little return. Does congress really think that if they pass a resolution that calls on China to investigate that they will oblige?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I think the US and the international community has a responsibility to take a position on these things (for one thing knowing that there is international support for people's rights can facilitate political reforms). Of course it stands to reason that you lose credibility when you allow things like Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib.

So Ron Paul isn't wrong - but I do think his positioning on this issue is as self-serving and grandstanding as the Congress he's criticising.