Appeal to help bring blind Chinese human rights activist to London

Cheng Guangcheng

Human rights and pro-life campaigners have launched an urgent appeal to find the money to bring blind human rights activist Chen Guangcheng to London in May, to meet senior Parliamentarians and Government Ministers.

Intimidated, beaten, arrested and imprisoned, Chen Guangcheng, although blind from birth, is a self-taught lawyer and human rights activist who has challenged the brutal practices of forced abortion and compulsory sterilisation of women in China. He escaped house arrest, fled to the American Embassy in Bejing and was eventually permitted to fly to the USA with his wife and children. He is coming to London to meet senior politicians and will call for international action to press the Chinese Government to end these barbaric practices.

The invitation to come to London has been extended by Lord Alton of Liverpool, Chair of the All-Party Working Group on Human Dignity, who said: "While others remained silent, Chen courageously dared to speak out against China's coercive one child policy - which has led to 330 million abortions and to 37 million more men than women. Today, in China, the three most dangerous words are: 'It's a girl'. Chen's stand against this egregious violation of human rights led to four years imprisonment, then to house arrest, and then to a death defying escape from China.”

The invitation is also endorsed by the All-Party Parliamentary Pro-Life Group, whose Chair, Jim Dobbin MP, added: “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: www.justgiving.com/BringChenToLondon

Writing on the JustGiving.com site, Whitehouse highlights concern for the welfare of Chen’s relatives: “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 week commencing Monday 20th May, so the need to raise funds is urgent. A full schedule for the visit will be announced shortly.”

As well as top level meetings in Westminster, Chen will be presented with an award by the Parliamentary Pro-Life Group and Right to Life for his defence of human rights and human life.

For more information see: www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=20428