The European Union has called for China to immediately release human rights defenders, pressing the country to respect “the rule of law” and accused the Chinese regime of deliberately “systematically violating” civil and political rights. Citing names of Chinese human rights lawyers who allegedly been detained or forcibly disappeared, the EU Delegation to China called for their immediate and unconditional release, urging China to “investigate thoroughly” and allow them to have a fair trial. “Those detained should be guaranteed access to lawyers of their own choice, medical assistance, and their family members,” the delegation said in its International Human Rights Day statement on Friday. Chinese human rights lawyers and activists claimed that police prevented them from leaving their houses this week in advance of UN Human Rights Day events, which came after U.S. President Joe Biden announced a two-day virtual summit on democracy without inviting China and Russia. “They told …