Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission Sends Letter to Ambassador Zhou Regarding Gao Zhisheng

China Aid Association
Gao Zhisheng with his son

(WASHINGTON, DC – August 3, 2009) On July 24, Congressman James McGovern and Congressman Frank Wolf, the Co-chairmen of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, sent a letter to Chinese Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong expressing their concern regarding kidnapped Christian human rights attorney Gao Zhisheng.
The following is the full text of their letter:
Dear Ambassador Zhou:
We are writing to express our deep concern over the disappearance of prominent lawyer and human rights advocate, Gao Zhisheng. Mr. Gao has not been seen or heard from for over 150 days and we fear his life may be in grave danger, given his past treatment at the hands of public security officers.
Mr. Gao, voted “one of China’s top ten lawyers” in 2001 by a Chinese Ministry of Justice publication, has represented numerous civil society figures, religious leaders and writers. In September 2007, Mr. Gao sent an open letter to the U.S. Congress alleging widespread human rights abuses in China. Afterwards, public security officers abducted him and held him for over 50 days, during which time he was repeatedly tortured. He was told that he would be killed if he told anyone about what happened. Mr. Gao was last seen on February 4, 2009, at a relative’s home in Shaanxi province, where more than 10 public security officers and others forcibly removed him from bed at midnight, and whisked him away to an unknown location. Mr. Gao’s whereabouts remain unknown.
We look forward to your response in this urgent matter.
ChinaAid commends the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission for holding the Chinese government accountable for the disappearance of Gao Zhisheng. ChinaAid calls on Ambassador Zhou to give an account of the current condition and whereabouts of Gao Zhisheng and to act for his immediate release.
Contact the Chinese embassy on behalf of Gao Zhisheng and ask for his immediate release.Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong
3505 International Place, NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
Tel: (202) 495-2000
Fax: (202) 588-9760

NOTE: If you are a citizen of another country, please click here to find the contact information of the Chinese embassy in your own nation http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/wjb/zwjg/2490/.
View a copy of the original letter to Ambassador Zhou.


China Aid Contacts
Rachel Ritchie, English Media Director
Cell: (432) 553-1080 | Office: 1+ (888) 889-7757 | Other: (432) 689-6985
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.chinaaid.org

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Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission Sends Letter to Ambassador Zhou Regarding Gao Zhisheng

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