Top Chinese Attorneys and Legal Scholars Organize for Christian Rights Protection; Beaten Christian Businessman in Xinjiang Interviewed for Overseas Connection

China Aid Association
Photo: Dr. Fan Yafeng with Mr. Gao Zhisheng
(Midland, Texas (CAA)-January 20, 2006) In a significant move to protect human rights and religious freedom in China, for the first time, a group of top Chinese attorneys and legal scholars announce the establishment of an Association of Human Rights Attorneys for Chinese Christians. All of these attorneys were selected as “Person of the Year in Asia “for 2005 by Asia Newsweek. CAA is authorized exclusively to release this public announcement. The following is the full text of the announcement:
“PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE ASSOCIATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS ATTORNEYS FOR CHINESE CHRISTIANS
                                              January 2006
But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream.
—Amos 5:24
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
—Proverbs 14:34
To safeguard the rights of Chinese Christians, to let love and righteousness prevail in China and to promote the rule of law in China, we hereby found the Association of Human Rights Attorneys for Chinese Christians and expect full support and active participation from our friends and colleagues in the legal community. This public announcement is therefore delivered for this purpose.
A list of members of the Association of Human Rights Attorneys for Chinese Christians:
Gao Zhisheng, Tel: 01081990759 (PHS), email: [email protected];
Wang Yi, Tel: 13094477103, email: [email protected];
Li Baiguang, Tel: 13366005026, email: [email protected];
Teng Biao, Tel: 13241918519, email: [email protected];
Fan Yafeng, Tel: 13651319865, email: [email protected]
Meanwhile, CAA learned that the Xinjiang authority returned part of the valuable personal property confiscated on Christmas Day 2005 to the church leaders.
After CAA’s report last week, two vehicles including a van and car owned by local Christian businessmen were handed over to the owners. 12 House Church leaders were arrested by the Public Security Bureau of Ma Na Si County, Xinjiang Autonomous Region on December 25 during a Christmas celebration event with 210 church members. All were gradually released under intense international pressure.
CAA also learned that Mr. Tong Qimiao was recently interviewed by the director of the General Squad of the National Security Protection of Kashi City, Xinjiang Autonomous Region. Perhaps in a positive development, Mr. Tong was asked to write down how he was severely beaten by a state security agent. He was told “whoever beat him shall be held accountable.” However, Mr. Tong was also questioned to reveal any overseas contacts.
Mr. Tong suffered a fractured rib by a Xinjiang State Security Bureau Agent on September 28, 2005. He was interrogated for his relationship with a house church in that area. Because Mr. Tong took legal action against his torturers, his furniture factory and store in a local mall was ordered closed. October 13 & 14th many items of furniture were confiscated by the local authority. The local court refused to hear his appeal for justice.
“As an attorney in the United States for over three decades, including service as a US prosecutor and as a federal judge, I understand the need for competent and courageous defense lawyers in any system of justice,” said Mr. Dan Dane (click here to learn more www.DanDane.com) who comments on the establishment of the Chinese Christian rights protection attorneys team, “I commend the efforts of these brave lawyers as they commit themselves to the protection of the rights of Christians in China. May God bless their work.”
“We strongly encourage the Chinese persecuted faithful to openly pursue their inalienable constitutional religious freedom rights within the spirit of the rule of law,” said Rev. Bob Fu, president of CAA, “We hope the Xingjian authority will do what it says by holding the abuser of Mr. Tong accountable.”
Issued by China Aid on January 20, 2006.