Bob Fu Files Petition on Behalf of Chen Guangcheng and Jiang Tianyong

Bob Fu Files Petition on Behalf of Chen Guangcheng and Jiang Tianyong

MEDIA ADVISORY, Sept. 21, 2010. Christian Newswire. On September 20, 2010, Reverend Bob Fu, the President of China Aid Association, filed a petition to the United States Congress and Administration and the European Parliament and Commission for immediate intervention in two high-profile cases of persecution concerning human rights lawyers in China. The request concerned the hardship imposed by the government of Linyi, Shandong province on Chen Guangcheng and his family, and that of Jiang Tianyong and his family, foisted upon them by the Beijing government.

In 2005, the blind rights defender Chen Guangcheng exposed about 130,000 forced abortions carried out in Linyi family-planning programs, and provided legal assistance to the victims — poor, local farmers without legal aid. In January 2007, Chen Guangcheng was sentenced on charges of “intentional destruction of properties and inciting a mob to disrupt traffic.”

Although released from prison, Chen is extremely sick, and he and his family have received a threat from the government: If they contact the outside world again, they will be immediately sent to prison. Great concern for Chen Guangcheng’s life and his safety has arisen.

Jiang Tianyong is an outstanding Christian rights defense attorney dedicated to representing cases of human rights and religious persecution, with an objective to promote religious freedom and improve the legal system in China. He and other rights defense attorneys drew media attention during a hearing at the US House of Representatives in October 2009. Jiang testified on the issues of religious freedom in China and the violent and brutal implementation of the family-planning policies. From September 7th of this year, Attorney Jiang and his entire family have been suffering harassment and threats from government security agents. The safety of his entire family is now seriously threatened.

China Aid Association hereby makes the following proposals:

1. Request the US Congress and the European Parliament pass an emergency resolution on these cases.

2. Request the US Administration, European Commission or their consulates and embassies to send officials to Beijing to meet with Attorney Jiang Tianyong and also to visit the entire family of Chen Guangcheng in Linyi, Shandong province.

3. Assist the International Red Cross in dispatching medical staff to provide emergency medical care for Chen Guangcheng.

Sincerely,

Bob Xiqiu Fu

President
China Aid Association

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