Lord Alton to bring blind Chinese human rights lawyer to Westminster

Cheng Guangcheng

A year after his release from Chinese confinement, Chen Guangcheng, the blind human rights activist who gained international recognition for his stand against the one child policy and forced abortion, shall (visa pending) be visiting Britain this month.

It was this time last year that Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino, Honorary President of Dignitatis Humanae Institute, and Lord Alton, Chairman of the British Parliament's Cross-Party Working Group on Human Dignity, united in a plea for compassion, appealing to the Chinese authorities to allow Chen Guangcheng and his family to leave China.

Though Chen lost his sight at an early age, he managed to teach himself law and gained world-wide renown for his campaign of exposing the practice of forced abortions in China. In May 2012, after a period in prison, intimidation, and house arrest, Chen was finally granted permission to leave with his family for America.

Undeterred by his past treatment, and the continuing difficulties his relations in China endure, Chen continues to be a champion for human dignity and will bring this message to London later this month. In addition to meeting representatives of the British government, Chen shall also be hosted by Lord Alton and the Cross-Party Working Group on Human Dignity, at an event within the Palace of Westminster.

In anticipation of Chen's visit, Lord Alton stated: "Whilst the world's most powerful nations dare not challenge China's shameful record of gender-based, forced abortions, Chen has risked all to speak out and expose the practice of gendercide. His personal tale of bravery and sacrifice, as well as his account of the gendercide in China, is something that desperately needs to be heard in Britain."

In addition to meetings within Westminster, Chen shall also be presented with an award from the Parliamentary Pro-Life Group and Right to Life in recognition for his defence of human rights and human life.

Jim Dobbin MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Pro-Life Group, said: "It took this blind man to see and to challenge what political leaders chose not to see. His bravery and his suffering, in the cause of human rights and human dignity, shames those who implemented these polices and those in the West who have aided and abetted them."

A special fundraising page has been launched by Right to Life Trustee, Chris Whitehouse: who has made this urgent appeal for donations: "Chen's wider family continue to suffer persecution and intimidation in China. This must stop. Please help us to make this trip possible so that the international community is urged to intervene.
Subject to flight availability and visa clearance, Chen hopes to be in London in the week commencing Monday 20 May, so the need to raise funds is urgent."

To make a donation please see: www.justgiving.com/BringChenToLondon