Congressional Testimony of Reggie Littlejohn Concerning Blind Activist Chen Guangcheng

Posted on December 5, 2011 by Reggie Littlejohn

Blind Activist Chen Guangcheng:

The Price Paid for Exposing and Opposing

Forced Abortion and Involuntary Sterilization

Under China’s One Child Policy

Testimony of Reggie Littlejohn, President

Women’s Rights Without Frontiers

Congressional-Executive Commission on China

Hearing of December 6, 2011

“One Year After the Nobel Peace Prize Award to Liu Xiaobo:

Conditions for Political Prisoners and

Prospects for Political Reform”

Mr. Chairman and Members of the Commission:

Thank you for holding this timely hearing about conditions of political prisoners in China.  It is a truly humbling opportunity to testify about one of the most courageous individuals, not only in China, but also in the world:  blind, self-taught lawyer, Chen Guangcheng.  I begin by commending the Chairman, Congressman Chris Smith, for his recent attempt to go to China to visit Chen.  Mr. Chairman, your tireless efforts to raise the visibility of Chen’s case are having an impact.

Chen Guangcheng was arrested in 2006 for helping to expose the Chinese government’s use of forced abortion and involuntary sterilization to enforce its “One Child Policy.”  He amassed  evidence of the extensive use of forced abortions and involuntary sterilizations performed on women in Linyi City, Shandong Province in 2005.  Time Magazine named him one of “2006’s Top 100 People Who Shape Our World” and he was given the 2007 Magsaysay award, known as Asia’s Nobel Prize.

Simultaneous with this testimony, I am submitting a report from Chen Guangcheng’s 2005 investigation into coercive family planning in Linyi County, Shandong Province. A member of Chen’s team, human rights attorney Teng Biao, drafted the report.  This report contains extensive witness statements from cases Chen and his team were investigating before Chen was jailed.  In this report are detailed accounts regarding:

  • a woman forcibly aborted and sterilized at seven months;
  • villagers sleeping in fields to evade Family Planning Officials;
  • Family Planning Officials who broke three brooms over the head of an elderly man
  • Family Planning Officials who forced a grandmother and her brother to beat each other; and
  • The use of quota systems and the practice of “implication” – the detention, fining and torture of the extended family of One Child Policy “violators.”

The Chen Guangcheng report makes clear:  the spirit of the Cultural Revolution lives on in China’s Family Planning death machine.  WRWF has chosen to release the names of the perpetrators of these crimes against humanity, so that they can be held accountable before the world.

Conditions may not have improved in Linyi since 2005.  Earlier this year, Family Planning Officials stabbed a man to death. http://www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org/blog/?p=147

A woman, six months pregnant, recently died during a forced abortion in Lijing County, also in Shandong Province. http://www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org/blog/?p=429

For exposing and opposing coercive family planning in China, Chen spent four years, three months in prison.  His defense lawyers were detained on the eve of trial. Since his September 2010 release, he has continued to serve a sentence of home detention.  Both in prison and under house arrest, Chen has experienced mistreatment and beatings.   He suffers from a chronic, debilitating intestinal illness for which he has not been allowed treatment.

According to a February, 2011 video, which Chen and his supporters managed to smuggle out of China, sixty-six security police surround his home constantly.   He and his wife are not allowed sufficient food and are isolated from all outside contact.  No one can enter or leave their home, except officials, who can enter at any time, without notice.

We received evidence that blind activist Chen Guangcheng’s health was in serious jeopardy because of repeated beatings and the malnutrition he suffers in house detention.  According to a June 15, 2011 letter written by Chen’s wife, and smuggled out of China, Chen has faced constant physical and psychological abuse, does not get sufficient food or nourishment,  and is denied proper medical treatment. http://www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org/index.php?nav=yuan-weijing

Foreign journalists have been forcibly denied access to him, and lawyers who tried to help Chen were beaten and detained in February 2011, including Jiang Tianyong and Teng Biao, who were detained for two months or more.

In September and October 2011, human rights campaigners and visitors seeking to see Chen were beaten and detained.  “Chen Supporters Attacked,” 9/19/11

http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/attacked-09192011123000.html;

HRIC Testimony at CECC Hearing on Chen Guangcheng, 11/1/11

http://www.hrichina.org/content/5611

Also in September, police detained Chen’s brother, who was meeting with activists.

“Police Detain Nanjing Activists,” 9/8/11

http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/activists-09082011152203.html?searchterm=None

Women’s Rights Without Frontiers and the China Aid Association are spearheading an international effort to free Chen Guangcheng.  Thus far, we have collected 6463 signatures from 28 countries.

http://www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org/index.php?nav=sign_our_petition

WRWF congratulates Rep. Chris Smith on his successful sponsorship last July of an amendment to the State Department Appropriation Bill, in support of Chen Guangcheng and his family.  This amendment, which passed unanimously, urges the Chinese government to stop harassing the Chen family, to release them from house arrest, and to arrange for immediate medical treatment. It further urges the Obama administration to arrange diplomatic visits to the Chen family. Beyond this, it highlights the tragedy of forced abortion and coercive family planning in China. “Amendment for Blind Activist Chen Guangcheng Passes Today,” 7/22/11 http://www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org/blog/?p=316

In early October, we received an unconfirmed report through Voice of America that villagers had said that Chen had died.  All efforts to confirm that report failed, as it was impossible to gain access to Dongshigu Village in Linyi to verify it.

Relativity Media, however, was able to gain access to Linyi, in order to film the feature-length comedy, “21 and Over.”  When challenged on its choice of Linyi out of the thousands of possible locations in China, and urged to apologize for its lack of sensitivity to Chen Guangcheng and human rights, Relativity Media issued a statement defending its action.  Women’s Rights Without Frontiers has called for a international boycott of “21 and Over.”

November 12, 2011 was Chen’s 40th birthday.  Although no one knew for sure whether Chen was dead or alive, brave citizens from many areas of China attempted to visit Chen’s village to wish him a happy birthday. All of them were turned back from the village, some violently, by thugs and plain-clothes police.

Finally, just this weekend, Women’s Rights Without Frontiers received a credible report that Chen is indeed alive.  In fact, according to a key activist in China, the conditions of Chen’s detention have improved slightly.

According to this source, who requested anonymity, “Now his mother is allowed to go outside to buy food although escorted by three guards, and his health also is getting better.”

The source attributed the improved treatment of Chen to the fact that “Chen’s situation was exposed and got huge public attention.”  One campaign that brought considerable visibility to Chen’s plight was the flow of concerned citizens attempting to visit him, leading up to his 40th birthday on November 12.

In addition, the Chen Sunglasses Campaigns inside and outside of China have raised the visibility of his case.   These campaigns post photos of people wearing sunglasses in support of Chen.  The source stated, “I think it’s very helpful for people all over the world to show they care about Chen through the Sunglasses Campaigns.  I think it’s very important to show support inside and outside the country – we can work together.” Women’s Rights Without Frontiers is collaborating with the Dark Glasses Portrait Campaign headed by a courageous Chinese political satirist and cartoonist, whose pen name is Crazy Crab. These campaigns, spearheaded by Women’s Rights Without Frontiers and Dark Glasses Portrait, can be found at

http://www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org/index.php?nav=chen-sunglasses and  http://ichenguangcheng.blogspot.com/.

The source continued, “Chen’s situation has indeed improved.  I have just sent him some medicine and covered the expenses for his family in the market . . . Some relatives can visit his mother and deliver some items under surveillance.”

The source cautioned, however, that the slightly improved condition of Chen’s house arrest is not a reason to relax the campaign to free him.  Most relatives of Chen and his wife are not allowed to visit, including their son and his wife’s parents.  We do not know what his medical condition is.  Moreover, the source indicated, the fact that Chen is now allowed food and medicine “is still far away from our basic request, that is, Chen should be freed right away, according to China’s own law.”

According to the source, the persecution of Chen supporters continues. An activist who announced that she would wear sunglasses in Linyi’s central square this past weekend was detained on December 1.   That same day, another activist from Yantai and a writer from Beijing, were arrested in Shandong attempting to distribute plastic bags and balloons bearing Chen’s image, in honor of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, celebrated December 3.

Women’s Rights Without Frontiers is thrilled and relieved to receive a credible report that Chen is alive and his health is improving.   This improved treatment demonstrates the power of the collaborative effort inside and outside China to raise the visibility of his case.  We greatly admire the brave citizens inside China, who are risking their safety to stand up for Chen.

We commend the courageous and persistent efforts of Rep. Chris Smith to visit Chen and urge the Chinese government to grant him a visa.  We also urge U.S. Ambassador to China, Gary Locke, to visit Chen directly. We demand the immediate, unqualified release of Chen Guangcheng and his family. Chen’s ongoing house arrest is illegal and his medical condition remains weak.

The Chinese Communist Party has attempted to silence Chen, but they cannot silence the voices of millions in China crying for his freedom.  The report that Chen is alive and in improved condition should not be a reason to relax efforts on his behalf.  To the contrary, these efforts are having an impact and should intensify until Chen is free.

Recommendations

  • The international community should make official interventions on behalf of Chen with the Chinese government and raise Chen’s case in bilateral discussion and multilateral institutions in which China is a member.

  • Diplomats from the U.S., E.U., Norway, Canada, Australia, Switzerland and other countries with human rights dialogues with China – including U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke — should seek access to Chen and his wife Yuan Wejing and press the Chinese government to stop its mistreatment of Chen, allow for proper medical attention and arrange for his immediate and unconditional release.

Posted in 21 and Over, blind, Chen Guangcheng, China, China's One Child Policy, Chris Smith, coerced abortion, Forced Abortion, forced sterilization, Gary Locke, Human Rights, Linyi, One Child Policy, Reggie Littlejohn, Relativity Media, reproductive rights, Sunglasses, Teng Biao, Uncategorized, Women's Rights Without Frontiers | Comments Off on Congressional Testimony of Reggie Littlejohn Concerning Blind Activist Chen Guangcheng

Blind Forced Abortion Opponent Chen Guangcheng Reported Alive

Posted on December 4, 2011 by Reggie Littlejohn

LINYI, CHINA.  A reliable source inside China told Women’s Rights Without Frontiers that forced abortion opponent Chen Guangcheng is alive.  An unconfirmed report went out in early October that Chen had died under house arrest.

According to this source, who requested anonymity, “Now his mother is allowed to go outside to buy food although escorted by three guards, and his health also is getting better.”

The source attributed the improved treatment of Chen to the fact that “Chen’s situation was exposed and got huge public attention.”  One campaign that brought considerable visibility to Chen’s plight was the flow of concerned citizens attempting to visit him for his fortieth birthday on November 12.  Many of these citizens were beaten and detained.

In addition, the “Chen Sunglasses Freedom” campaigns inside and outside of China have raised the visibility of his case.   These campaigns post photos of people wearing sunglasses in support of Chen.  The source stated, “I think it’s great.  I think it’s very helpful for people all over the world to show they care about Chen through the Sunglasses campaigns.  I think it’s very important to show support inside and outside the country – we can work together.”  These campaigns, spearheaded by Women’s Rights Without Frontiers and Dark Glasses Portrait, can be found at

http://www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org/index.php?nav=chen-sunglasses and  http://ichenguangcheng.blogspot.com/.

The source also commended the video, “Free Chen Guangcheng,” saying that watching this video has inspired many to take action.   “People inside China weep when they watch it,” she said. http://www.youtube.com/user/reggielittlejohn#p/a/u/1/hnqQ5v_ofgw

The source continued, “Chen’s situation has indeed improved.  I have just sent him some medicine and covered the expenses for his family in the market . . . Some relatives can visit his mother and deliver some items under surveillance.”

The source cautioned, however, that the slightly improved condition of Chen’s house arrest is not a reason to relax the campaign to free him.  Most relatives of Chen and his wife are not allowed to visit, including their son and his wife’s parents.  Moreover, the fact that Chen is now allowed food and medicine “is still far away from our basic request, that is, Chen should be freed right away, according to China’s own law.”

According to the source, the persecution of Chen supporters continues. An activist who announced that she would wear sunglasses in Linyi’s central square this weekend was detained on Thursday.   Also Thursday, another activist from Yantai and a writer from Beijing, were arrested in Shandong attempting to distribute plastic bags and balloons bearing Chen’s image, in honor of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, celebrated December 3.

Reggie Littlejohn, President of Women’s Rights Without Frontiers, stated, “We are thrilled and relieved that Chen is alive and his health is improving.   This improved treatment demonstrates the power of the collaborative effort inside and outside China to raise the visibility of his case.  We greatly admire the brave citizens inside China, who are risking their safety to stand up for Chen.”

Littlejohn added, “We commend the courageous and persistent efforts of Rep. Chris Smith to visit Chen and urge the Chinese government to grant him a visa.  We also urge U.S. Ambassador to China, Gary Locke, to visit Chen. We demand the immediate, unqualified release of Chen Guangcheng and his family. Chen’s ongoing house arrest is illegal and his medical condition remains weak.”

Littlejohn will testify regarding Chen’s case before the Congressional-Executive Commission on China at a hearing to be held on Tuesday, December 6 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., location TBA.  On Wednesday, December 7, she will appear on Voice of America China Branch’s program, “Issues and Opinions,” broadcast throughout China at 9:00 a.m. EST.

Chen’s investigation exposed the fact that there were 130,000 forced abortions and sterilizations under China’s One Child Policy, in Linyi County in 2005.  He was jailed for four years and three months, during which time he was tortured and denied medical treatment.  He and his family remain under house arrest.

Join the Chen Sunglasses Freedom Campaign:

http://www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org/index.php?nav=chen-guangcheng

http://ichenguangcheng.blogspot.com/

Watch the video, “Free Chen Guangcheng!”:

http://www.youtube.com/user/reggielittlejohn#p/a/u/1/hnqQ5v_ofgw

Sign the Free Chen petition:

http://www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org/index.php?nav=chen-guangcheng#pet

Posted in abortion, blind, Chen Guangcheng, China, China's One Child Policy, Chris Smith, coerced abortion, disability, Forced Abortion, forced sterilization, Gary Locke, Human Rights, life, Linyi, One Child Policy, pro-choice, pro-life, Reggie Littlejohn, Sunglasses, women, women's rights, Women's Rights Without Frontiers | Comments Off on Blind Forced Abortion Opponent Chen Guangcheng Reported Alive

Chen Guangcheng’s Birthday Today — WRWF Releases Chen’s Investigative Report

Posted on November 12, 2011 by Reggie Littlejohn

LINYI, CHINA.  Women’s Rights Without Frontiers has obtained a report from Chen Guangcheng’s 2005 investigation into coercive family planning in Linyi County, Shandong Province. This report was drafted by human rights attorney, Teng Biao.  Read the report here: http://www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org/chenreport.pdf

Since Chen’s investigation exposed the fact that there were 130,000 forced abortions and sterilizations in Linyi in 2005, he was jailed for four years and three months.  He remains under house arrest, where he has been tortured and denied medical treatment.  His health is in jeopardy. Thousands will celebrate Chen’s 40th birthday today, November 12.

Women’s Rights Without Frontiers President, Reggie Littlejohn, stated, “It is an honor to release this report on the 40th birthday of Chen Guangcheng.  For the first time, the world can read actual witness statements from cases that landed Chen in jail.  The Chinese Communist Party has attempted to silence Chen, but they cannot silence the voices of millions in China crying for freedom.”

In this report are accounts of a woman forcibly aborted and sterilized at seven months; villagers sleeping in fields to evade Family Planning Officials; Officials who broke three brooms over the head of an elderly man and forced a grandmother and her brother to beat each other.  There is a detailed discussion of the practice of “implication” – the detention, fining and torture of the extended family of One Child Policy “violators.”

“Chen is suffering for doing what we are doing:  exposing the truth behind forced abortion and sterilization in China,” Littlejohn said.  “A report went out that Chen may have paid for this with his life, so we are even more determined to carry on this work in his name.  We demand the immediate release and medical attention for Chen and his family.”

Things may not have improved in Linyi since 2005.  Earlier this year, Family Planning Officials stabbed a man to death.  http://www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org/blog/?p=147 In addition, a woman who was six months pregnant recently died during a forced abortion in Lijing County, also in Shandong Province.  http://www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org/blog/?p=429

“The spirit of the Cultural Revolution lives on in China’s Family Planning death machine.  We have chosen to release the names of the perpetrators of these crimes against humanity, so that they can be held accountable before the world,” said Littlejohn.

Littlejohn urges those who support Chen to join the Chen Sunglasses Freedom Campaign. http://www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org/index.php?nav=chen-sunglasses “People everywhere are taking a picture of themselves wearing sunglasses in honor of Chen, and sending it to be posted on the WRWF website and Free Chen websites inside China, showing that they care about Chen and want him to be free.”

Watch a 3 minute video about Chen and sign a petition to free him here:

http://www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org/index.php?nav=chen-guangcheng

Posted in abortion, Chen Guangcheng, China, China's One Child Policy, coerced abortion, Forced Abortion, forced sterilization, One Child Policy, pro-choice, pro-life, Reggie Littlejohn, reproductive rights, right to choose, Teng Biao, women's rights, Women's Rights Without Frontiers | Comments Off on Chen Guangcheng’s Birthday Today — WRWF Releases Chen’s Investigative Report

Relativity Media’s Self Defense Prompts Boycott Supporting Chen Guangcheng

Posted on November 1, 2011 by Reggie Littlejohn

Relativity Media could have apologized for filming in Linyi and cozying up to the same officials who are responsible for the detention, torture and slow starvation of blind activist Chen Guangcheng.  They could have issued a statement urging freedom for Chen. Instead, Relativity Media issued a statement defending its decision:

“From its founding, Relativity Media has been a consistent and outspoken supporter of human rights and we would never knowingly do anything to undermine this commitment. We stand by that commitment and we are proud of our growing business relationships in China, through our partnership with Sky Land, its strategic alliance with Huaxia Film Distribution Company. As a company, we believe deeply that expanding trade and business ties with our counterparts in China and elsewhere can result in positive outcomes.”

Reggie Littlejohn, President of Women’s Rights Without Frontiers, criticized Relativity Media’s statement as “disingenuous.”  She stated, “Words are cheap.  Relativity Media should have backed up these words with actions. They say they “believe deeply” that their trade ties in China can “result in positive outcomes.”  What kind of positive outcomes?   Positive financial outcomes for the filmmakers?  If they truly are “a consistent and outspoken supporter of human rights,” then why have they remained silent on the prolonged abuse of Chen Guangcheng? Why have they refused to use the leverage they’ve gained through their “strategic alliance” to demand Chen’s freedom?”

He Peirong, an activist who has made four attempts to enter Chen’s village and been beaten each time, stated in a widely quoted interview:

“I hope Relativity Media will learn more about the real Linyi, about Chen Guangcheng, and see that what is currently happening in Dongshigu village is what is really ‘amazing’,” she told the Associated Press “Especially at this time, when every day there are people trying to visit Chen Guangcheng, people who have been robbed and beaten, I express deep regret to see such remarks whitewashing the city of Linyi.”

Littlejohn commented:  “Relativity Media does not deny that officials in Linyi are responsible for the prolonged mistreatment of Chen Guangcheng. For Relativity Media to film in Linyi tells the Chinese people, either that the company is inexcusably ignorant of one of the world’s most notorious human rights abuses, or that it doesn’t care.  Their callous attitude has left us no alternative. For the sake of Chen Guangcheng, we now call for a worldwide boycott of ‘21 and Over.’”

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Relativity Media’s Self Defense Prompts Boycott Supporting Chen Guangcheng

Relativity Media Ignores Chen Guangcheng

Posted on October 28, 2011 by Reggie Littlejohn

A reliable source inside China has informed Women’s Rights Without Frontiers that film mogul Relativity Media is shooting “21 and Over” in Linyi, China — the very city where blind activist Chen Guangcheng is languishing near death for exposing the fact that Linyi had 130,000 forced abortions and sterilizations in 2005.  Film production commenced October 26.

According to Relativity Media’s press release, 21 and Over is a “hilarious comedy . . . about two childhood friends who drag their straight-arrow buddy out to celebrate his twenty-first birthday the night before an all-important medical school interview. But when one beer leads to another, the evening spirals into a wild epic misadventure of debauchery and mayhem that none of them will ever forget.”

Reggie Littlejohn, President of Women’s Rights Without Frontiers, stated, “Out of the thousands of locations in China, why was Linyi targeted?   Is this a deliberate slap in the face to Chen Guangcheng and human rights in China?   In my opinion, it is unconscioable for Relativity Media to make this film in Linyi.  While Relativity Media is creating a “wild epic misadventure,” about beer-drinking and debauchery, Chen Guangcheng is suffering unspeakable torment – beaten, tortured, denied medical treatment and being slowly starved to death – right under their noses.”

Littlejohn issued a call to action.  “Relativity Media has a choice.  If they have any commitment to corporate responsibility or social justice, they will immediately cease production in Linyi because of Chen Guangcheng.  If they ignore this plea, then I call on the people of China and the world to boycott 21 and Over and deliver a crushing commercial defeat.  Let’s send a message that filmgoers of conscience will not support a movie that is made in flagrant disregard of one of the world’s greatest human rights heroes.”

Women’s Rights Without Frontiers and China Aid are spearheading an international campaign to free Chen.  Watch a three-minute video about Chen here:

http://www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org/blog/?p=296

Sign a petition to free Chen here:

http://www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org/index.php?nav=chen-guangcheng

Relativity Media’s Sky Land partnership backing this film includes SAIF Partners and IDG China Media, part of International Data Group of Boston, in alliance with Huaxia Film Distribution Company, an official agency of the Chinese Communist Party. The producers are Mandeville Films’ David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman, in association with Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Produced.   Jon Lucas and Scott Moore wrote the script.  Click here for Relativity’s press release:

http://www.relativitymediallc.com/news.asp?article={7DF71F06-1389-4F98-E843-FAF6E362CE08}

See Tom Lasseter’s blog on McClatchy Newspapers, discussing this situation:

http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/china/

Posted in 21 and Over, abortion, Chen Guangcheng, China Aid Association, China's One Child Policy, coerced abortion, Forced Abortion, forced sterilization, Huaxia Film Distribution Company, IDG China Media, Linyi, Mandevillle Films, McClatchy Newspapers, One Child Policy, pro-choice, pro-life, Reggie Littlejohn, Relativity Media, reproductive health, reproductive rights, right to choose, SAIF Partners, Tom Lasseter, Virgin Produced, Women's Rights Without Frontiers | Comments Off on Relativity Media Ignores Chen Guangcheng

China: Woman Dies During Forced Abortion, Six Months Pregnant

Posted on October 17, 2011 by Reggie Littlejohn

Lijing County, Shandong Province

Women’s Rights Without Frontiers and China Aid have obtained information that on October 12, 2011, a woman died during a forced abortion.  She was six months pregnant.

According to a report posted on fanfucn.com, Jihong Ma was seized by Family Planning Officials for a forced abortion, having violated the One Child Policy.  Stressed, she was placed on oxygen.  In the words of a family member:

“More than ten persons from the Family Planning Bureau came, took off the oxygen mask from her and forced her to induce labor. From the time she was put into operating room at 4:00 p.m., there was no news about her . . . At night around 10:00 p.m., someone came, opened the door of the delivery room and slipped away. We ran into the delivery room and saw that the doctors and nurses all disappeared while poor Jihong Ma’s body had already been totally freezing cold, with purple lips and bleeding nose, lying on the operating table without any movement . . . Jihong Ma’s daughter does not know yet that her Mom has passed away.  She cries looking for Mom every day.”

Reggie Littlejohn, President of Women’s Rights Without Frontiers, stated, “Our hearts go out to the family of Jihong Ma, who was their wife, mother or daughter.  China’s cruel and barbaric forced abortion policy causes more violence towards women and girls than any other official policy on earth.  It is China’s war against women and girls. Women are forcibly aborted up to the ninth month of pregnancy.  Forced abortion is not a choice.  It is official government rape.”

Bob Fu, President of China Aid, stated, “Tragedies like this demonstrate the urgent need for China to establish the rule of law.   Family Planning Police commit hideous crimes with impunity, as do those who persecute the house churches and Chinese human rights lawyers. Chen Guangcheng has stood up for victims of forced abortion.  He has been jailed, tortured, denied medical treatment, and we don’t know whether he is dead or alive.”

Littlejohn issued a call to action:  “We urge people to join the fight against forced abortion in China.  Watch the 4-minute video, sign the petition, and forwarding them to your friends.”

http://www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org/blog/?p=34

http://www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org/index.php?nav=sign_our_petition

A video and petition to free Chen Guangcheng can be found here:

http://www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org/index.php?nav=chen-guangcheng

To read the report in Chinese, click here:   http://www.nvquan.org/2011/10/blog-post_306.html

Here is the full report in English:

October 15th, 2011    Saturday

A Pregnant Woman Was Forced To Induce Labor To Death By Family Planning Office Of Lijing County Shandong Province (Special Manuscript)

By Shuchun Ge and Aiguo Wu,  From   www.fanfucn.com 010-87836605

Time,  10/15/2011  22:06:45

10月12死亡母亲On October 14th, 2011 a web friend named “Folk1987” posted an article on sina microblog. The article says Jihong Ma, a pregnant woman from Jiangjiazhuang village of Lijing county (Donying city Shandong Province), was taken to the Central Hospital of Lijing County by Lijing Sub-district Family Planning Office and forced to induce labor, leading to her death. At present the article has been transferred and commented by nearly one thousand web friends. Yesterday fanfucn.com and konggaocn.com investigated the event via telephone interview. (p.s.Screenshot from NvQuan.org.  Click to enlarge)

“Folk1987” also posted the dead woman, Jihong Ma’s picture on the blog. The blog article says, “On the 12th of this month when a six-month-pregnant woman was taking oxygen therapy, more than ten persons from the Family Planning Bureau came, took off the oxygen mask from her and forced her to induce labor. From the time she was put into operating room at 4:00 pm, there was no news about her. Because of her family members’ strong demands, the door of the operating room was opened around 10:00 pm. We went into the operating room. There wasn’t any doctor or nurse. Jihong Ma’s freezing body lay on the operating table with eyes open and without any breath.

The author of this article contacted “Folk1987” via the phone and learned that “Folk1987” is a relative of the dead woman, Jihong Ma. “Folk1987” indicated that what she had said was true. She said, “Jihong Ma’s daughter does not know yet that her Mom has passed away. She cries looking for Mom everyday. We asked for help from the news media of Shandong, but no one would like to step out. Web friends, please pay close attention to this event.”

What is the reason for this kind of terrible result (Jihong Ma’s one body, two lives [ended])? “Folk1987” said frankly that this result directly came from the Lijing Sub-district Family Planning Office’s rude action of taking Jihong Ma by force to Central Hospital Of Lijing County and forcing her to induce labor because she broke the one-child policy.

“Jihong Ma and her husband Xuetao Gao (Nickname Anliang Gao) have only had two kids.  This pregnancy had been six months. On October 12, 2011 more than ten persons from Lijing Sub-district Family Planning Office came, took Jihong Ma by force to the Central Hospital of Lijing County and forced her to induce labor without caring for her safety.”

It is reported that because of being taken by force to the Central Hospital of Lijing County, Jihong Ma was really stressed and developed the symptom of breathing difficulty. When her family members tried to help her get oxygen therapy,  a man who called himself the Secretary of Lijing Sub-district Office claimed that Jihong Ma was pretending. He said, “I’ve met too many people like Jihong Ma.”

“After that, several men took off  Jihong Ma’s  oxygen mask rudely, forced her to press  a fingerprint on a piece of paper and then carried her to the delivery room.  To our fear, a few people saw that while Jihong Ma was carried to the delivery room, her pants had been pulled down below her thighs, but the men who were carrying her did not care. Jihong Ma’s family member was beat up because of trying to stop several men’s rude behavior.” said “Folk1987” angrily.

Jihong Ma’s elder sister did not expect that Jihong Ma would die after she was put into the delivery room. “At that moment a person who called himself the Secretary of Sub-district Office said there would not be any problem. We also expressed that we would give up the baby in order to ensure the adult’s safety. But soon after Jihong Ma was put into the delivery room, the nurse came out and said they were rescuing Jihong Ma. After that the big iron door of the delivery room was closed and no one was seen after that.

It is known by the author of this article, on that day when the event happened it was 4:00 p.m. when the nurse of the Central Hospital of Lijing County claimed that they were rescuing Jihong Ma.  Around 9:00 p.m. the man who called himself the Secretary of the Sub-district Office still claimed that they had found specialist to rescue Jihong Ma. At last no one knew when that “Secretary” left the hospital, while Jihong Ma’s family was still waiting with anxiety outside of the delivery room.

“At night around 10:00 pm, some one came, opened the door of the delivery room and slipped away. We ran into the delivery room and saw that the doctors and nurses all disappeared while poor Jihong Ma’s body had already been totally freezing cold with purple lips and bleeding nose, lying on the operating table without any movement.”

In the opinion of Jihong Ma’s family, the Central Hospital of Lijing County did not make any effort or do any treatment to rescue Jihong Ma. She died on the operation table, but her family did not see any record of a rescue effort. They did not see any doctor or nurse, and even at the nurses’ station they did not see any shadow of a half nurse on that day. Nobody in charge from the Central Hospital of Lijing County came out to communicate with Jihong Ma’s family.This farce, that Lijing Sub-district Family Planning Office forced the pregnant woman to induce labor, finally caused a terrible result of one body with two lives and ended roughly, with the escape of the related persons responsible for the event. (p.s. So far the Public Security Bureau has involved this case. They said they were investigating but did not tell the dead woman’s family how the case was going and whether they had dealt with the persons responsible for the event.)

Since the event happened, it has been several days.  No one has prosecuted this case.  When the author of this article called the Family Planning Bureau of Lijing County, a staff member who was on duty said, “The relationship between the Family Planning Bureau of Lijing County and Lijing Sub-district Family Planning Office is only professional guidance and the Family Planning Bureau of Lijing County has nothing to do with Jihong Ma’s case.”

While the author of this article called Lijing Sub-district Office a few times, the staff members who answered the calls all claimed that they did not know about this case.  After one of the staff members of Lijing Sub-district Office asked for the instructions from his leader, he asked the author to contact the Propaganda Department of Lijing County Party Committee.

For the case of  Jihong Ma’s one body with two lives, Yunlei Liu, a part-time researcher of  China University of Political Science Research Center of Difficult Cases, member of Beijing Lawyers’ Association, thinks that the related persons responsible for the case should be prosecuted for criminal liability. According to some related laws, Jihong Ma’s family can also ask for compensation from Lijing Sub-district Office and the Central Hospital of Lijing County.

Up to the release of this report, the dead woman Jihong Ma’s family claimed that Lijing county had set up a special team to investigate this case. “Three days after the event we sent Jihong Ma’s body to the funeral home in order not to bother all the other patients who were receiving treatment at the Central Hospital of Lijing County. The people from the special investigating team asked if we had any request, and we had already notified them that we want to learn the cause of Jihong Ma’s death, and the related persons responsible for her death to be prosecuted,” said Jihong Ma’s family. The author of this article is going to continue to report this case. (Shuchun Ge,  Aiguo Wu)

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Note:  To read the original Chinese report, click here:

http://www.nvquan.org/2011/10/blog-post_306.html

Posted in abortion, Bob Fu, Chen Guangcheng, China, China Aid Association, China's One Child Policy, coerced abortion, Forced Abortion, life, One Child Policy, pro-choice, pro-life, rape, Reggie Littlejohn, reproductive health, reproductive rights, right to choose, Uncategorized, women, women's rights, Women's Rights Without Frontiers | 1 Comment

Is Blind Activist Chen Guangcheng Dead or Alive?

Posted on October 7, 2011 by Reggie Littlejohn

Linyi County, Shandong Province, China.  Ominous reports regarding blind lawyer Chen Guangcheng have emerged this week.  According to Radio Free Asia, Chinese authorities detained a group of at least nine human rights activists trying to visit Chen Guangcheng.  On Wednesday, many members of the group were cut off from communication.  According to a report by Canyu, Shandong authorities shot at these activists.  Most disturbing is a report by Voice of America, stating that villagers had said, “Chen is dead already.”  VOA is attempting to verify Chen’s status.

“We are alarmed at the report that villagers are saying that Chen is already dead,” stated Reggie Littlejohn, President of Women’s Rights Without Frontiers.  “If Chen is dead, then the Chinese Communist Party is fully responsible for killing him through torture, denial of medical treatment and slow starvation.  If Chen is alive, we urgently demand that he and his family be released immediately and unconditionally, for medical evaluation and treatment.”

“We are concerned about the report that authorities have shot at the activists trying to visit Chen,” stated Bob Fu, President of the China Aid Association. “These netizens display the same brave spirit that Chen has, and they should continue in their courageous attempts to see him.”  Regarding Gao Zhisheng, another human rights lawyer who has disappeared, Fu said, “Gao and Chen are shining lights for human rights in China.  Their shocking torture and Gao’s disappearance demonstrate the CCP’s willingness to trample on the rule of law.”

Self-taught lawyer Chen exposed the systematic use of forced abortion and involuntary sterilization in implementing China’s One Child Policy.  Time Magazine named him in its list of “2006’s Top 100 People Who Shape Our World,” in the category of “Heroes and Pioneers.”  He has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Women’s Rights Without Frontiers and China Aid Association are spearheading an international effort to free Chen, together with the Jubilee Campaign and World Youth Alliance.  To watch a brief video about Chen and sign a petition to free him, click here: http://www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org/index.php?nav=chen-guangcheng

Related Links

Chen Campaigners Detained
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/detained-10062011125143.html

Shangdong Authority Shot at Chinese Netizens Who Were Visiting Chen Guangcheng
山东当局开枪追杀探访陈光诚的网友 Originally at http://canyu.org/n32061c6.aspx; Now at http://www.nvquan.org/2011/10/blog-post_06.html and http://www.chinaaid.net/2011/10/blog-post_9504.html?m=1

Netizens Lost Contact after Visiting Chen Guangcheng; Whether Chen Is Alive or Dead Is a Mystery 探望陈光诚众网友失联 陈光诚生死成谜
http://www.voanews.com/chinese/news/20111005-BLIND-ACTIVIST-131127433.html

Posted in abortion, Bob Fu, Chen Guangcheng, China Aid Association, China's One Child Policy, coerced abortion, forced sterilization, Jubilee Campaign, One Child Policy, Women's Rights Without Frontiers, World Youth Alliance | Comments Off on Is Blind Activist Chen Guangcheng Dead or Alive?

Personal Prison Prepared for Forced Abortion Opponent Chen

Posted on August 31, 2011 by Reggie Littlejohn

Blind forced abortion opponent Chen Guangcheng and his wife, Yuan Weijing, will be transferred to a small prison built specifically for them, according to a Radio Free Asia report.  Activist He Peirong stated that the couple will be forcibly removed from their home and transferred to a building “which basically amounts to a jail” so that authorities can “keep tighter controls on them.”  They will be separated from their five-year-old daughter in the move.  Their young son, living with relatives, was reportedly strip-searched leaving the family home.

Reggie Littlejohn, President of Women’s Rights Without Frontiers, decried this action.  “The Chinese Communist Party has already beaten and tortured Chen and his wife, denied them medical treatment, stolen their television, phone, computer and books, and appears to be slowly starving them to death.  The couple is constantly surrounded by 66 guards and multiple surveillance cameras tracking their every move inside and outside their home.  Why is the CCP so threatened by a blind, sick, penniless man that they have to build a personal prison for him?  They seek to make an example of Chen, to demonstrate how they will punish anyone who challenges their forced abortion policies.  But they are really making an example of their own, shameful brutality.”

Bob Fu, President of China Aid, said “The treatment of Chen Guangcheng and the torture and disappearance of human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng, are unconscionable.  These are not the acts of a government that respects the rule of law.  Since the beginning of this year, the CCP has launched an offensive against human rights lawyers and activists, religious leaders, house church Christians and even dissident artists.  We urge the release of those unjustly imprisoned, tortured and disappeared.”

Chen was arrested in 2006 for exposing evidence that 130,000 forced abortions and involuntary sterilizations were performed on women in Linyi County, Shandong Province in a single year.  Time Magazine named him one of “2006’s Top 100 People Who Shape Our World.” Chen spent four years in prison. Since his release, he continues under house arrest.  He and his wife have been beaten repeatedly and denied medical treatment.

To watch “Free Chen Guangcheng!” (three minutes), click here:

http://www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org/blog/?p=296

To sign a petition to free Chen, click here:

http://www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org/index.php?nav=chen-guangcheng

Women’s Rights Without Frontiers and China Aid are spearheading a campaign to free Chen Guangcheng.  The Jubilee Campaign and World Youth Alliance are partners in this effort.

To see the Radio Free Asia report, click here:

‘Jail’ Built for Activist, Family

http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/jail-08302011123544.html

Posted in abortion, Bob Fu, Chen Guangcheng, China, China Aid Association, China's One Child Policy, coerced abortion, crime against humanity, Forced Abortion, Human Rights, Jubilee Campaign, One Child Policy, pro-choice, pro-life, Reggie Littlejohn, reproductive rights, right to choose, Women's Rights Without Frontiers, World Youth Alliance | Comments Off on Personal Prison Prepared for Forced Abortion Opponent Chen

Biden and Obama – If China’s Forced Abortion Is “Repugnant,” Why Are You Funding UNFPA?

Posted on August 24, 2011 by Reggie Littlejohn

This piece was originally published in the National Review Online.
http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/275483/mr-vice-president-can-you-second-guess-yourself-unfpa-funding-now-reggie-littlejohn

Blasted with criticism, Vice President Biden is trying to take back what he said in Sichuan, China: that he “fully understands” China’s One Child Policy, but is “not second-guessing” it.  Chastened, Biden now says that China’s coercive population control program is “repugnant.”  Indeed, his spokeswoman insists that the entire “Obama administration strongly opposes all aspects of China’s coercive birth limitation policies, including forced abortion and sterilization.”

Words spoken before the world in an official capacity cannot be unspoken.  The bell, once rung, cannot be un-rung.

However, the Obama administration now has publicly admitted it knows that China practices forced abortion and sterilization.  This is progress.

Should we believe that this administration “strongly opposes” these practices?

Actions speak louder than words.  If the Obama administration “strongly opposes” forced abortion in China, then why did they restore funding to UNFPA (United Nations Family Planning Fund), an operative “abortion provider” in China?   In 2001, the U.S. cut funding to UNFPA because an investigation, headed by then Secretary of State Colin Powell, found that UNFPA was complicit in the coercive implementation of China’s One Child Policy.  In 2008, the U.S. State Department reaffirmed that determination, and yet the Obama administration resumed funding in 2009.  President Obama’s FY 2012 budget requests $47 million for UNFPA.

The current administration also funds the International Planned Parenthood Federation.  The IPPF works hand in hand with the coercive Chinese Communist population control machine.  Their website declares, “The China Family Planning Association (CFPA) plays a very important role in China’s family planning programme.  It supports the present family planning policy of the government . . .”

Funding UNFPA and IPPF is not “strong opposition” to coercive family planning.  It is support.  At issue are the true aims behind the actions of the Obama administration.   Are they “pro-choice,” as they say, or is their real aim population control, even if coercive?

Earlier this year, U.S. citizens voted to cut UNFPA funding under the new YOUCUT program.  http://majorityleader.gov/YouCut/P2_W1.htm Because of this vote, Rep. Renee Ellmers will introduce legislation to cut UNFPA, saving $400 million over the next ten years.

If the Obama administration is sincere in saying it “strongly opposes . . . forced abortion and sterilization,” then it will either insist that UNFPA and IPPF cease operation in China, or it will defund these organizations.

To sign a petition against forced abortion in China, click here:

http://www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org/index.php?nav=sign_our_petition

Posted in abortion, China, China's One Child Policy, coerced abortion, Colin Powell, Forced Abortion, forced sterilization, human dignity, Human Rights, International Planned Parenthood Federation, Joe Biden, One Child Policy, Planned Parenthood, pro-choice, pro-life, Reggie Littlejohn, Renee Ellmers, reproductive health, reproductive rights, right to choose, Uncategorized, UNFPA, women's rights, Women's Rights Without Frontiers, Youcut | Comments Off on Biden and Obama – If China’s Forced Abortion Is “Repugnant,” Why Are You Funding UNFPA?

Chinese Human Rights Abusers — House Bill May Deny Entry into the U.S.

Posted on August 23, 2011 by Reggie Littlejohn

If passed, H.R. 2121, the “China Democracy Promotion Act of 2011,” would enable the President to deny entry into the U.S. for Chinese nationals who have “committed human rights abuses” against people in China, including anyone who “has participated in the imposition of . . . China’s coercive birth limitation policy.”  Under this wide-ranging bill, the President would also have discretion to deny entry to Chinese nationals who have participated in a wide range of human rights abuses.

Reggie Littlejohn, President of Women’s Rights Without Frontiers, stated, “Decades ago, Congress barred foreign persecutors from obtaining asylum in the United States, to keep out Nazi war criminals.  Why should Chinese officials who force women to have abortions, persecute ethnic minorities, torture people for their religious beliefs, repress public interest lawyers and jail journalists be welcomed to our land?  These persecutors need to be held accountable.  They do not deserve to set foot on U.S. soil.”

Passage of this bill, however, may not be enough.  The key player is the President.  Even if the bill passes, will President Obama take a strong stand for the suffering people of China and deny entry to their persecutors?  Littlejohn stated, “Nothing in his record thus far indicates that President Obama would deny entry to Chinese government persecutors, at least where the One Child Policy is concerned.  To the contrary, President Obama restored funding to UNFPA, which former Secretary of State Colin Powell found to be working hand in hand with the Chinese coercive family planning machine.   And on his official visit, Vice President Biden just told China ‘Your policy has been one which I fully understand — I’m not second-guessing — of one child per family.’  If Biden ‘fully understands’ the One Child Policy, then he understands it is enforced through forced abortion.  If he is ‘not second-guessing’ it, then he is not opposing it.”

The bill was introduced by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), and is sponsored by Reps. Frank Wolf (R-Va.), Dan Burton (R-Ind.), and Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.).  Significantly, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) newly signed on as a co-sponsor, which increases the likelihood that the bill will move through the Committee.

Watch a video about forced abortion in China:

http://www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org/blog/?p=219

Sign a petition against forced abortion and sexual slavery in China:

http://www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org/index.php?nav=sign_our_petition

Read the text of H.R. 2121:

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c112:H.R.2121:

Judiciary Committee’s Smith supports China visa bill – The Hill’s Floor Action

http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/177275-judiciary-committees-smith-supports-china-visa-bill

Posted in abortion, China Democracy Promotion Act of 2011, China's One Child Policy, Chris Smith, coerced abortion, Colin Powell, crime against humanity, Dan Burton, Dana Rohrabacher, Forced Abortion, forced sterilization, Frank Wolf, H.R. 2121, human dignity, Human Rights, Joe Biden, Lamar Smith, One Child Policy, pro-choice, pro-life, reproductive health, reproductive rights, right to choose, Uncategorized, UNFPA, women, women's rights, Women's Rights Without Frontiers | 2 Comments