On Thursday actor Christian Bale presented blind forced abortion opponent Chen Guangcheng with an award at the annual gala of Human Rights First.\u00a0 In December 2011, while Chen was still in China under house arrest, Bale attempted to visit Chen but was roughed up by thugs, who prevented him from visiting Chen\u2019s village.\u00a0\u00a0 Bale said at that time, \u201cWhat I really wanted to do was shake the man\u2019s hand and say \u2018thank you,\u2019 and tell him what an inspiration he is.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chen dramatically escaped house arrest and arrived in the United States in May 2012.\u00a0 The two men met for the first time tonight, when Bale presented Chen with the award.<\/p>\n
Bale praised Chen for his bravery and for symbolizing the hopes of the people of China to live in freedom.\u00a0 Significantly, Bale also highlighted Chen\u2019s fight against forced abortion in China.\u00a0 Bale stated,<\/p>\n
\u201cHe [Chen] had exposed a program of forced abortion and sterilization in Shandong.\u00a0 A program of forced abortion means that women are being dragged from their homes against their will.\u00a0\u00a0 They are being forced to have abortions, sometimes late-term — imagine that — with some women reportedly dying in the process.\u00a0 Now this is true horror.\u00a0 And in this insane world, this man, Chen, who was helping these women — who was living by some of the most simple, brave and universally admired values \u2013 values that we teach our children every day, and helping our fellow man \u2013 for this, this man was imprisoned and beaten for over four years.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reggie Littlejohn, President of Women\u2019s Rights Without Frontiers, stated, \u201cChen Guangcheng is a towering champion of human rights, who with incomparable courage, stood alone against the Chinese totalitarian regime.\u00a0 The women of China and the world will long remember his bravery on their behalf.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the same time,\u201d Littlejohn added, \u201cChristian Bale has become a human rights champion in his own right.\u00a0 He risked his safety to visit Chen last December.\u00a0 His attack by Chinese thugs brought visibility to Chen\u2019s case.\u00a0 This visibility greatly helped the international effort to free Chen.\u00a0 And Bale is brave to condemn the practice of forced abortion in China.\u00a0 Women\u2019s Rights Without Frontiers salutes both men.\u201d<\/p>\n
Watch Christian Bale present Chen Guangcheng with the award.<\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/national\/blind-chinese-activist-chen-guangcheng-honored-in-new-york\/2012\/10\/25\/3ddcafdf-2b9c-4dee-a953-b35357f708b3_video.html<\/a><\/p>\n Watch a video about forced abortion in China (4 mins)<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=JjtuBcJUsjY<\/a><\/p>\n WRWF led the international coalition to free Chen Guangcheng.<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org\/index.php?nav=chen-guangcheng<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" On Thursday actor Christian Bale presented blind forced abortion opponent Chen Guangcheng with an award at the annual gala of Human Rights First.\u00a0 In December 2011, while Chen was still in China under house arrest, Bale attempted to visit Chen … Continue reading