US Secretary of State Rubio Embarks on High-Profile European Tour, Condemns Hong Kong Activist's Sentencing

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is making headlines with upcoming travels and a strong statement on human rights. The State Department announced on February 9 that Rubio will attend the 62nd Munich Security Conference in Germany from February 13 to 15. He will then visit Bratislava, Slovakia, and Budapest, Hungary, on February 15 and 16. In Slovakia, he plans to meet government members to advance regional security, boost nuclear energy cooperation, diversify energy sources, and support military modernization and NATO commitments, according to the State Department release. In Hungary, Rubio will engage officials on shared bilateral interests, peace processes for global conflicts, and the United States-Hungary energy partnership, as reported by Telex and Mirage News. This trip follows President Donald Trumps endorsement of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, amid Orban's election challenges, per France 24. On February 9, Rubio issued a sharp press statement condemning the Hong Kong High Courts sentencing of pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison. The State Department said the verdict shows Beijing will go to extraordinary lengths to silence advocates of fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong, violating the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration that promised high autonomy. Rubio called the outcome unjust and tragic after Lais two-year trial and over five years in detention, urging humanitarian parole so Lai and his family have suffered enough, according to EWTN News and the US Consulate General in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, bipartisan lawmakers led by Senator John Fetterman sent Rubio a letter urging an extension of passport services at nonprofit libraries, set to end February 13 due to a Trump administration decision. They warn of harm to rural communities and library staff without more time for a fix. Today, Rubio is holding meetings and briefings at the State Department and White House, per the public schedule. Thank you for tuning in, listeners. Please subscribe for more updates. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai. For more http://www.quietplease.ai Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.