Campaigners welcome China release for five feminist activists

[WorldNews]

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Rights groups on Tuesday welcomed China's unusual release of five feminist activists whose detention for more than a month triggered an international diplomatic outcry, saying the move showed Beijing sometimes responds to outside pressure. The five, all aged 32 or younger, were taken into custody shortly before International Women's Day last month as they were preparing to hand out leaflets about sexual harassment on public transport. The European Union, US Secretary of State John Kerry and his predecessor Hillary Clinton had all issued calls for their freedom, while Beijing said it was an internal issue. China's ruling Communist Party does not tolerate organised opposition, and often clamps down on small activist groups.

 

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