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| Bob Fu speaks at the 2014 China Aid Banquet on March 21, 2014. (Photo: China Aid) |
China Aid Association
Fu called the Chinese government’s denial of the events that occurred on June 4, 1989, “unacceptable,” saying “the Chinese government must bring those responsible for human rights violations…to justice.”
Other witnesses included Ms. Chai Ling, founder of All Girls Allowed; Dr. Yang Jianli, president of Initiatives for China; United States Army Major Yan Xiong, author of From Tiananmen Square to Iraq; Mr. Zhou Fengsuo, co-founder of Humanitarian China; and Mr. Chen Qinglin, a political acitivist.
Video footage of the hearing can be viewed at http://foreignaffairs.house.gov/hearing/subcommittee-hearing-tiananmen-25-years-later-six-leaders-who-were-there and the full text of Fu’s statement can be read below.
“Tiananmen 25 Years Later: Six Leaders Who Were There”
May 30th, 2014
Mr. Chairman, Honorable Members of the Committee, and witnesses for the hearing, who are my friends and fellow advocates for freedom and human rights in China.
The Tiananmen Square massacre on June 4, 1989 brutally took the lives of innocent students and other Chinese citizens and exposed the marked deterioration of basic human rights and freedoms in China to the world. As China searches for its identity in the 21st century and responds to economic growth, the Chinese government must simultaneously address political reforms and expand social freedom. As a critical step towards this goal, the Chinese government must acknowledge and rectify the injustices that transpired in the June 4th massacre and seek to address and deter all acts of violence and persecution, past, present and future, against its citizens.
The Chinese government’s denial of the atrocities that occurred in the June 4th massacre and recent detentions and arrests of those in China today that refuse to forget the Chinese government’s acts of impunity are unacceptable. The Chinese government must bring those responsible for human rights violations in the June 4th massacre to justice and provide compensation to the victims and their families.
The Chinese government’s position on the Tiananmen massacre is indicative of the ongoing persecution to religious practitioners and violations of freedom of speech, expression, and association. However, despite the possibility of harassment, detention, and physical and psychological abuse, the Chinese people continue to advocate for these and other basic human rights, a just and credible rule of law, an end to government corruption and their desire for a democratic system of government.
To be recognized as a trusted partner by the international community, the Chinese government must prioritize the protection of the rights and freedoms of the Chinese people as enshrined in its own constitution and international treaties and conventions of which it is a signatory. The Chinese government’s refusal to address past and present persecution and violence not only threatens the lives and future of its citizens, but also has serious ramifications for global economic and geopolitical stability.
In addition to the aforementioned recommendations, the Chinese government must also finalize its ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Regarding recommendations for the U.S. government’s engagement with China on human rights and religious freedom, I fully endorse the recommendations included in the 2014 annual report of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.
May the Almighty God continue to bless my fellow Chinese citizens and freedom fighters and heal and bring forth the spirit of truth, accountability, and reconciliation to the victims and family members of the Tiananmen massacre.
Our prayers are with them always.
Bob Fu
Founder and President
China Aid
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