LINYI, CHINA.\u00a0 A reliable source inside China told Women\u2019s Rights Without Frontiers that forced abortion opponent Chen Guangcheng is alive. \u00a0An unconfirmed report went out in early October that Chen had died under house arrest.<\/p>\n
According to this source, who requested anonymity, \u201cNow his mother is allowed to go outside to buy food although escorted by three guards, and his health also is getting better.\u201d<\/p>\n
The source attributed the improved treatment of Chen to the fact that \u201cChen\u2019s situation was exposed and got huge public attention.\u201d\u00a0 One campaign that brought considerable visibility to Chen\u2019s plight was the flow of concerned citizens attempting to visit him for his fortieth birthday on November 12.\u00a0 Many of these citizens were beaten and detained.<\/p>\n
In addition, the \u201cChen Sunglasses Freedom\u201d campaigns inside and outside of China have raised the visibility of his case. \u00a0\u00a0These campaigns post photos of people wearing sunglasses in support of Chen.\u00a0 The source stated, \u201cI think it\u2019s great.\u00a0 I think it\u2019s very helpful for people all over the world to show they care about Chen through the Sunglasses campaigns.\u00a0 I think it\u2019s very important to show support inside and outside the country \u2013 we can work together.\u201d\u00a0 These campaigns, spearheaded by Women\u2019s Rights Without Frontiers and Dark Glasses Portrait, can be found at<\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org\/index.php?nav=chen-sunglasses and\u00a0 http:\/\/ichenguangcheng.blogspot.com\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n The source also commended the video, \u201cFree Chen Guangcheng,\u201d saying that watching this video has inspired many to take action.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPeople inside China weep when they watch it,\u201d she said. http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/reggielittlejohn#p\/a\/u\/1\/hnqQ5v_ofgw<\/a><\/p>\n The source continued, \u201cChen\u2019s situation has indeed improved.\u00a0 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.\u201d<\/p>\n The source cautioned, however, that the slightly improved condition of Chen\u2019s house arrest is not a reason to relax the campaign to free him. \u00a0Most relatives of Chen and his wife are not allowed to visit, including their son and his wife\u2019s parents.\u00a0 Moreover, the fact that Chen is now allowed food and medicine \u201cis still far away from our basic request, that is, Chen should be freed right away, according to China\u2019s own law.\u201d<\/p>\n According to the source, the persecution of Chen supporters continues. An activist who announced that she would wear sunglasses in Linyi\u2019s central square this weekend was detained on Thursday.\u00a0\u00a0 Also Thursday, another activist from Yantai and a writer from Beijing, were arrested in Shandong attempting to distribute plastic bags and balloons bearing Chen\u2019s image, in honor of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, celebrated December 3.<\/p>\n Reggie Littlejohn, President of Women\u2019s Rights Without Frontiers, stated, \u201cWe are thrilled and relieved that Chen is alive and his health is improving.\u00a0\u00a0 This improved treatment demonstrates the power of the collaborative effort inside and outside China to raise the visibility of his case.\u00a0 We greatly admire the brave citizens inside China, who are risking their safety to stand up for Chen.\u201d<\/p>\n Littlejohn added, \u201cWe commend the courageous and persistent efforts of Rep. Chris Smith to visit Chen and urge the Chinese government to grant him a visa.\u00a0 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\u2019s ongoing house arrest is illegal and his medical condition remains weak.\u201d<\/p>\n Littlejohn will testify regarding Chen\u2019s 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.\u00a0 On Wednesday, December 7, she will appear on Voice of America China Branch\u2019s program, \u201cIssues and Opinions,\u201d broadcast throughout China at 9:00 a.m. EST.<\/p>\n Chen\u2019s investigation exposed the fact that there were 130,000 forced abortions and sterilizations under China\u2019s One Child Policy, in Linyi County in 2005.\u00a0 He was jailed for four years and three months, during which time he was tortured and denied medical treatment.\u00a0 He and his family remain under house arrest.<\/p>\n Join the Chen Sunglasses Freedom Campaign:<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org\/index.php?nav=chen-guangcheng<\/a><\/p>\n http:\/\/ichenguangcheng.blogspot.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n Watch the video, \u201cFree Chen Guangcheng!\u201d:<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/reggielittlejohn#p\/a\/u\/1\/hnqQ5v_ofgw<\/a><\/p>\n Sign the Free Chen petition:<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org\/index.php?nav=chen-guangcheng#pet<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" LINYI, CHINA.\u00a0 A reliable source inside China told Women\u2019s Rights Without Frontiers that forced abortion opponent Chen Guangcheng is alive. \u00a0An unconfirmed report went out in early October that Chen had died under house arrest. According to this source, who … Continue reading