Christian Solidarity Worldwide features Dr. Li Baiguang andCAA President Bob Fu in preparation for the press conference on human rights. See the coverage at http://www.csw.org.uk:
Beijing Lawyer & China Aid President to reveal detail over human rights abuses since the disappearance of Gao Zhisheng 23/03/2010
A human rights lawyer from Beijing’s Gong Xin Law Firm, Dr Li Baiguang, and Bob Fu from the US-based rights organisation, China Aid Association (CAA), will share previously untold details about their work advocating for high-profile victims of human rights violations in China at a press conference at Mayfair’s Legatum Institute on Wednesday, 24 March.
The conference, to be hosted jointly by Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) and Release International will allow Dr Li Baiguang a platform to reveal facts surrounding the tragic case of Chinese Christian, Alimujiang Yimiti, sentenced to fifteen years for the disputed conviction of “instigating separatism and revealing state secrets,” on October 27, 2009.
Reports suggest Mr Yimiti’s trial did not follow due process under Chinese or international law. Our guest speaker will reveal just how difficult it is to obtain access to a defence lawyer in human rights cases and particularly those involving religious freedom.
Meanwhile, Bob Fu, President and founder of CAA, was one of the last people to talk to Gao Zhisheng before his disappearance 400 days ago.
The Nobel Peace Prize nominee disappeared on 4 February 2009 after being hauled away by Chinese officials. Since 2005, Gao has been repeatedly arrested, tortured and imprisoned because of his work upholding human rights, defending other human rights activists and religious minorities including house church leaders and practitioners of Falun Gong. Sources inside China suggest Gao will have been severely tortured during his detention.
Both guests will later brief British parliamentarians over the current domestic situation in China in relation to religious freedom.
CSW’s Advocacy Director Tina Lambert said: “We are honoured to have such renowned and courageous guests coming to speak at this press conference. The issue of religious freedom in China is of utmost importance, demonstrated by the injustice done to both Alimujiang Yimiti and Gao Zhisheng. We call on the international community to continue and indeed increase their efforts to see them released, and work towards a situation where religious freedom and belief is respected in China and lawyers can operate unhindered.”
Andy Dipper, CEO of Release International, said: ‘We are delighted that these two distinguished guests can speak at this press conference. The cases of Gao and Alimujiang highlight not only the issue of human rights violations in China but also the wider issue of religious freedom in that nation. We would urge the international community to use all its influence to work for their release – and the release of others whose names we may not know but who have been unjustly treated merely because of their religious beliefs or their efforts to defend human rights.’
For the biographies of both guest speakers, please contact CSW’s press office.
http://dynamic.csw.org.uk/article.asp?t=press&id=971&search=
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