Russia Accelerates Its Retreat from Democracy
The past several years have witnessed a disturbing and accelerating retreat from democracy and human rights on the part of the Putin government. This trend was on clear display yesterday in the raid of one of Russia’s oldest and most respected human rights organizations - Memorial.
Last July, in apparent retaliation for widespread protests by democracy and human rights activists, the Russian government introduced legislation requiring NGOs that receive any support from abroad to register as “foreign agents”. In the Russian context this is tantamount to requiring them to self-identify as spies and traitors.
Memorial, an organization dedicated to documenting the human rights abuses of Russia’s communist past and to advocating for democracy and rule of law, is widely respected both in Russia and abroad.
According to Lantos Foundation President, Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett, targeting such a high profile organization is clearly intended to send a message of intimidation throughout the Russian human rights NGO community.
“Putin has reverted to type as an unreformed KGB operative, and is attempting to stifle and intimidate reformers in Russia. Since the recent corrupt elections, we have seen a raft of anti-democratic moves by the Putin regime of which this is just the latest example.”
The Lantos Foundation has been in the forefront of advocating for democracy and rule of law in Russia and has condemned the unjust trial and imprisonment of Mikhail Khodorkovsky as well as the suspicious death of the whistle blowing lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, while in Russian government custody.
Lantos Swett called on the U.S. State Department to condemn the raid on Memorial’s offices; “The American government must not sideline our human rights concerns with Russia. As important as the various economic and security issues on the Russian/American agenda are, we cannot afford to ignore Russia’s retreat from democracy, and we owe it to the people of Russia to let them know that we stand with them in their struggle to protect their freedoms.”
Dr Katrina Lantos Swett, Toward a Tolerant Tomorrow The Religious Freedom Imperative
Read about Katrina Lantos Swett's eye opening trip to the Middle East
Chinese Activist Chen Guangcheng Receives Tom Lantos Human Rights Prize at U.S. Capitol Ceremony
Chen calls on U.S. to continue fighting for democracy, human rights and free speech in fourth annual presentation of the human rights prize
WASHINGTON – Blind Chinese legal activist Chen Guangcheng called on the United States to remain steadfast in its support of democracy, human rights and free speech at a ceremony today awarding him the 2012 Tom Lantos Human Rights Prize held at the U.S. Capitol complex. The award is the highest honor of the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice and was given to Chen for his tireless work promoting human rights and the rule of law in China.
“As for the United States government, I urge you to continue unwaveringly from your basic principles of democracy, human rights and freedom of speech,” said Chen at the ceremony. “You must not give in an inch or offer the smallest compromise when it comes to these basic principles. Even though the United States now sees a softening of its economy, and it is clearly difficult to shift attention away from issues of finance and the economy, remember that placing undue value on material life will cause a deficit in spiritual life. You must establish a long-term plan for human rights, and not compromise on it, ever.”
Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett, President of the Lantos Foundation added, “Chen Guangcheng’s work standing up for the rule of law in China has been an inspiration to people from around the world. Today, we honor Chen’s contribution to the global struggle for human rights and his resolve in the face of China’s brutal crackdown on him and his family. The Tom Lantos Human Rights Prize was established to continue my father’s lifelong efforts to lift up defenders of human rights and shine an international spotlight on those who would tear them down. Chen Guangcheng embodies that fierce resolve to continue fighting for the values of decency, dignity, freedom and justice we hold so dear.”
Chen’s remarks were delivered in Mandarin and read in English by actor, social activist and member of the Lantos Foundation Advisory Board Richard Gere. Chen was joined on stage by his wife Yuan Weijing and Mrs. Annette Lantos, Chairman of the Lantos Foundation and Widow of Rep. Tom Lantos.
In April 2012, Chen, a blind self-taught lawyer, dramatically escaped house arrest in China and fled to the U.S. Embassy. He and his immediate family left China and currently reside in New York City, where he is a Scholar in Residence at New York University. Though he has worked for causes including environmentalism, property rights, and justice for those with disabilities, Chen is best known for a 2005 class action lawsuit against officials of the Shandong Province for abuses related to enforcement of China’s one-child policy. As an outspoken critic of the Chinese government, Chen spent years in jail and under illegal detainment at home before escaping.
The Lantos Foundation established the Tom Lantos Human Rights Prize in 2009 to honor and bring attention to heroes of the human rights movement. It is awarded annually to an individual or organization that best exemplifies the Foundation’s mission, namely to be a vital voice standing up for the values of decency, dignity, freedom and justice in every corner of the world. The prize also serves to commemorate the late Congressman Tom Lantos, the only Holocaust survivor ever elected to the U.S. Congress and a prominent advocate for human rights during his nearly three decades as a U.S. Representative. Former recipients of the Lantos Prize include His Holiness the Dalai Lama (2009), Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel (2010), and Rwandan humanitarian Paul Rusesabagina (2011).
Chen Guangcheng’s remarks as prepared for delivery in English are below:
Hello. I am truly honored to be standing here today, as the recipient of this highest honor in the name of the great human rights defender, Congressman Tom Lantos. Such an honor brings me much encouragement and fills me with emotion. Although this award is being given to me, Chen Guangcheng, I feel that it is a strong validation of everyone working to defend human rights, social justice, and universal values.
Both Congressman Lantos and I share the experience of escaping evil. In June of last year when I heard that I was being given this award, I felt a profound resonance in my heart with Mr. Lantos. The shared experience in evil's lair made us both understand the necessity of taking immediate action in the face of wrongdoing. Who can know how many seekers of justice and human rights will suffer persecution, destruction, or even death at the hands of dictators if we are idle even for just one moment. We must not only remember the atrocities of the fascists, but also recognize that today authoritarianism is firmly entrenched, and that the barbarism of the authoritarian system is the greatest threat to civilized societies. Employing every method available, authoritarian governments will do their utmost to stop the mouths and bind the spirits of good-willed people.
We must be clear: dictatorships are inherently in opposition to democracy and freedom. They are opposed to constitutionalism and the rule of law, and will monopolize all power for their own benefit. They can ravage you at will; if you resist, they will make you a criminal. If you protest, they will make you their enemy. This system starkly and inherently contradicts democratic institutions. If you approach them with dialogue and reason in the hope that they will give up some of their authoritarian power, you will in effect become an accomplice to their work.
Despite my misfortunes, I have been lucky. For many years I have suffered inhumane persecution by the Party authorities; but I have also been blessed with the attention, care and kindness from people around the world. Last May, with the help of so many individuals, I was able to come to the US with my family. We have been warmly welcomed and cared for by the American people, and I would like to express my deepest thanks to all of you for your concern and support. I will remember this always. I would also like to thank the many brave friends who came from far and near to make their way to my village, Dongshigu. Your fearlessness is the crystallization of human conscience. I cannot thank each of you individually in your presence, but I will nonetheless be eternally grateful to you.
Today, I and my immediate family are free in body; but in mind we cannot be free, because so many of my compatriots - including many family members - are still living under the evils of the authoritarian system. For instance, local party authorities are making my nephew pay the price for my escape. At this time he has already been sent to the very jail where I spent so many years, and our family and lawyers have not been allowed to see him. Many others share similar experiences. There is the Beijing lawyer Gao Zhisheng, who is still in prison in Xinjiang, in northwest China. Even during his probation he was disappeared and tortured. Unimaginably, on the day his probation was up, he was put back in prison and is not allowed regular family visits. And there is the journalist Qi Chonghuai who was jailed for his outspokenness. Just when he had almost completed his prison term, his sentence was extended, and his family continues to live under conditions of extreme duress, threats and terror. Liu Xiaobo's wife, Liu Xia, has been living under house arrest for more than two years. The Mongolian writer Ha Da served 17 years in prison. Two years ago his term was finished, but he is still being illegally detained. And of course there are countless petitioners from all over the country who are detained, beaten, or held in black jails, suffering wrongdoing, injury, and trumped up charges. These are not isolated cases of injustice, but represent a reality in China today: legal protection and justice do not exist or are only very rarely available for most citizens.
Human rights reform is inseparable from political reform. However, under the leadership of the party, simply speaking about human rights is no easy task; and of course, defending human rights is even more difficult. But social progress does not come from those in power, whether or not they wish it to be the case. China will see a transformation. How do we encourage this transformation?
I believe the most important thing is to shift our attention from the leadership to the people. To support their activities in moving towards a society that respects human rights, the people need to feel encouraged. That is why international attention is so important, especially because of the following three points. First, international concern validates the often difficult work of social justice. Second, if the media illuminates the activities of the so-called "black hands" who punish those who seek justice, their actions are likely to be less extreme. Third, media reports disseminate information that can lead to an awakening of the populace, and cause more and more people to demand their rights and demand protection of their rights under the law.
That is why I am happy to take this opportunity to mention some Chinese human rights workers. In the past few years there have been countless human rights warriors working for social justice who have dared to say "no" in the face of evil. There are some you will have heard of, like Ai Weiwei, Liu Xiaobo, and Hu Jiao, and many others you may not be familiar with, such as Liu Ping, Zhu Chengzhi, Chen Xi, Liu Guohui, and Li Bifeng. These people, as well as innumerable netizens, have all suffered varying levels of unceasing oppression and persecution for their actions in the cause of righteousness.
A few days ago, petitioners Li Guohui and Wei Lan as well as six other women from my home town who had traveled to Beijing were kidnapped and beaten by thugs working for the Shandong provincial office in Beijing. One of them, Qin Yuling was severely beaten around the face, and others sustained varying levels of injury. Last Friday, a student from Hainan, Dong Zhengzheng went to see my aged mother who was just coming back from the hospital. Just as she was about to leave, her father called her on the phone to tell her that the police had arrived at his house. He said she must go immediately to the public security, otherwise her student status would be jeopardized. Recently, many friends and neighbors who I have been in touch with by phone have been taken into custody by the authorities for questioning. They have been threatened, and made to describe what our conversations have been about. Even foreign journalists are not immune. A Reuter's journalist who has interviewed me was contacted by the foreign ministry and threatened. They told the reporter that Chen Guangcheng is an American spy. We cannot keep silent in the face of these phenomena. It is my sincere hope that in mentioning these people you will come to know them and understand their circumstances, and try to help them in their times of trouble.
As for the United States government, I urge you to continue unwaveringly from your basic principles of democracy, human rights, and freedom of speech. You must not give in an inch or offer the smallest compromise when it comes to these basic principles. Even though the United States now sees a softening of its economy, and it is clearly difficult to shift attention away from issues of finance and the economy, remember that placing undue value on material life will cause a deficit in spiritual life. You must establish a long-term plan for human rights, and not compromise on it, ever. What's more, the American people have a responsibility in human rights, because you are able to force the government to live up to its promises. You have freedom of speech and the right to fair elections: you should use these rights to encourage your government to fulfill its responsibilities. If you find it difficult to choose a candidate based solely on economic policies, you can vote according to their human rights record. If a politician cares about human rights, it's likely he or she will care about your well-being. Will a government that cares only about money govern responsibly? Even though the Chinese government will do anything to persecute those who stand up for human rights, fortunately, history shows clearly and unfailingly that aggression and violence cannot destroy the truth, and cannot eliminate what is good and kind in human nature. Moreover, as a Chinese saying describes, "If you carry the hearts and minds of the people, you will carry all below heaven." The government should take note of this: there has never been a dynasty that was able to achieve longevity through forceful oppression. In China in the last few years there have been more than 200,000 protests every year, covering every issue imaginable. More and more people are overcoming their fear to take action. The waves of citizens who have traveled to my village is the best example.
I sincerely hope that everyone - petitioners, human rights workers, civil rights groups, national governments, and especially the United States government - will come together to encourage progress in human rights. There should be no compromise, even if there are large business interests at stake - dignity, freedom and justice are more important. In 2011, the actor Christian Bale went to Dongshigu Village to find me. We were not able to see each other, and he knew he might hurt his own career, but he went anyway. He earned the respect of the Chinese people and people around the world not just as celebrity but a truly decent human being. An individual, an organization, a government, are all the same: as long as you are doing the right thing, you will be respected and validated by the people, and be enriched in both tangible and intangible ways. In many ways it is the intangible riches that are the hardest to come by.
In this key moment of transformation in China, international pressure is extremely important. However, the Chinese sons and daughters back home need to understand that although others can help us, we need to be the main actors in this effort. Democracy, freedom, and justice don't just happen: we must strive for them through action. Last year Myanmar lifted the ban on political parties, and last Friday it abolished media censorship. What the people in Myanmar do, we can do, too. Each of us has something to contribute. As long as we work together as one to overcome fear, we will unquestionably be able to free the nation from bondage. We need to bring to an end this period of history during which the Communist authority maintains a monopoly on power and enslaves the people through a leadership of thieves, and establish a truly civil society. Anything is possible in this world. The strength and potential of all of us are boundless. Please believe in yourselves. Let's work together to make this world a better place!
Chinese Activist Chen Guangcheng Receives Tom Lantos Human Rights Prize at U.S. Capitol Ceremony
WASHINGTON – Blind Chinese legal activist Chen Guangcheng called on the United States to remain steadfast in its support of democracy, human rights and free speech at a ceremony today awarding him the 2012 Tom Lantos Human Rights Prize held at the U.S. Capitol complex. The award is the highest honor of the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice and was given to Chen for his tireless work promoting human rights and the rule of law in China.
“As for the United States government, I urge you to continue unwaveringly from your basic principles of democracy, human rights and freedom of speech,” said Chen at the ceremony. “You must not give in an inch or offer the smallest compromise when it comes to these basic principles. Even though the United States now sees a softening of its economy, and it is clearly difficult to shift attention away from issues of finance and the economy, remember that placing undue value on material life will cause a deficit in spiritual life. You must establish a long-term plan for human rights, and not compromise on it, ever.”
Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett, President of the Lantos Foundation added, “Chen Guangcheng’s work standing up for the rule of law in China has been an inspiration to people from around the world. Today, we honor Chen’s contribution to the global struggle for human rights and his resolve in the face of China’s brutal crackdown on him and his family. The Tom Lantos Human Rights Prize was established to continue my father’s lifelong efforts to lift up defenders of human rights and shine an international spotlight on those who would tear them down. Chen Guangcheng embodies that fierce resolve to continue fighting for the values of decency, dignity, freedom and justice we hold so dear.”
Chen’s remarks were delivered in Mandarin and read in English by actor, social activist and member of the Lantos Foundation Advisory Board Richard Gere. Chen was joined on stage by his wife Yuan Weijing and Mrs. Annette Lantos, Chairman of the Lantos Foundation and Widow of Rep. Tom Lantos.
In April 2012, Chen, a blind self-taught lawyer, dramatically escaped house arrest in China and fled to the U.S. Embassy. He and his immediate family left China and currently reside in New York City, where he is a Scholar in Residence at New York University. Though he has worked for causes including environmentalism, property rights, and justice for those with disabilities, Chen is best known for a 2005 class action lawsuit against officials of the Shandong Province for abuses related to enforcement of China’s one-child policy. As an outspoken critic of the Chinese government, Chen spent years in jail and under illegal detainment at home before escaping.
The Lantos Foundation established the Tom Lantos Human Rights Prize in 2009 to honor and bring attention to heroes of the human rights movement. It is awarded annually to an individual or organization that best exemplifies the Foundation’s mission, namely to be a vital voice standing up for the values of decency, dignity, freedom and justice in every corner of the world. The prize also serves to commemorate the late Congressman Tom Lantos, the only Holocaust survivor ever elected to the U.S. Congress and a prominent advocate for human rights during his nearly three decades as a U.S. Representative. Former recipients of the Lantos Prize include His Holiness the Dalai Lama (2009), Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel (2010), and Rwandan humanitarian Paul Rusesabagina (2011).
Katrina Lantos Swett's Remarks at the 2012 Lantos Human Rights Prize Ceremony
"Good morning.
We are so pleased that you were able to join us today as we meet to bestow on Chen Guangcheng, the Lantos Human Rights Prize. I hope for each of you that this will be an occasion that you will long remember because today all of us are truly in the presence of an extraordinary human being.
You have heard by now the basic outlines of Guangcheng’s improbable, incredible story. Born in poverty and obscurity, blinded in his childhood, denied any education until he was 18, this self-taught “barefoot” lawyer somehow became one of China’s most admired and effective advocates on behalf of the disabled, the exploited, and most notably on behalf of women victimized by China’s brutal One Child policy. Of course, under the tyranny of the Chinese government, such good deeds could not go unpunished and so Chen Guangcheng became an enemy of the state, subjected to persecution, torture, and imprisonment.
In an act of courage that stunned the world and captured its imagination, Guangcheng made a nearly miraculous escape from brutal house detention under the very noses of his captors.
In Chen’s life, truly the facts have been stranger and more remarkable than fiction and it is no wonder that in the minds of many, Chen Guangcheng has become the dashing superhero of the global human rights movement. It doesn’t hurt that he also happens to be a very handsome man!
But there is more to Chen Guangcheng than the heroic narrative I have just recited. This wise, brave, and insightful man has much to teach us about the true state of affairs in China and how we can act to advance the cause of democracy and human rights in this rising super power.
One lesson that Chen’s life has demonstrated, and that he has articulated, is that even in a repressive society like China, once the citizenry begins to understand and demand their rights, it is simply not possible for this tide of justice to be held back forever. This tide of history, which we have witnessed in recent years bringing down dictatorships large and small, is beginning to reach China’s shores and the government is very afraid. As Guangcheng has discussed many times, this growing movement is coming not from the elites in the centers of power but rather is emerging from the vast grassroots in this nation of over a billion people.
It is now widely known, though rarely reported in the Chinese media, that tens of thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands of large scale protests are taking place in China each year. We shouldn’t be surprised. There is an inherent instability in any society that is not built on the sure foundation of respect for the rule of law and the consent of the governed. The underlying lack of legitimacy of such societies cannot be sidestepped by robust economic growth or papered over by spectacular displays of wealth, power, and talent such as we saw during the Beijing Olympics. Indeed, how humiliating and revealing it is for the Chinese government that the world renowned artist, Ai Wei Wei, the architect of the their greatest triumph on the international stage, the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Olympics, has himself become a target of prosecution and imprisonment for the crime of daring to speak out about freedom and individual rights. What does it say about a society when it feels compelled to attack and silence its most admired and respected members?
Another lesson that Chen Guangcheng and countless other Chinese dissidents have been telling us is that technology and the almost magical power of the Internet to disseminate information in the twinkling of an eye, is undermining one of the key tools that dictators have wielded to maintain control. Namely the power to lie and deceive on a vast scale. Of course, the Chinese government understands and fears the truth-telling power of the Internet which is why they have gone to unprecedented lengths to create the great firewall of China manned by an army of 50,000 engineers to try and block the free flow of information from the Chinese people. This is one place where the U.S. government can and must thwart their efforts. Secretary Clinton has articulated a robust and inspiring policy of American leadership on behalf of Internet freedom around the world but there is work that remains to be done to effectively fund and implement this policy. Just as Ronald Reagan a generation ago stood in Berlin and declared, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall,” so today, America must declare to the leaders of China, “Tear down this Internet firewall” and we must help, in meaningful ways, to make this happen.
There is something else America must do and this has also been expressed frequently and eloquently by Chen. We must place human rights and democracy at the center of our policy toward China. Every single person in this room understands that the United States and China are two great and powerful nations that must have functioning and meaningful relations on the full range of issues that concern our national interest from the economy and the environment to security and terrorism. However, that does not mean that we should de-link our concerns about human rights and democracy from the rest of our dealings with China. The Chinese government would love nothing more than for the American government to put human rights in a tidy little box, off to one side, where they can be largely ignored, save for the occasional rhetorical nod. This we must not do. It is in standing up for democracy and human rights that we are strong – indeed it is our commitment to these values and principles that has made us strong – and we must remember to lead with our strengths.
I would like to close my remarks today with a few words about our Lantos Laureate, a man we are so proud to be honoring, but in fact we are the ones honored to be in his presence. I met Chen Guangcheng and his beautiful wife and partner, Weijing, for the first time yesterday and have already I have been profoundly affected by the spirit they exude. Words like simplicity, purity, and love come to mind when you are with them, but in listening to them both one is keenly reminded that simplicity does not mean lack of sophistication and purity does not mean naivety. Rather, the light that shines forth from these wonderful people reflects a quiet conviction that we must each find the courage to choose the right and to do the right, and if we do, we will ultimately prevail.
Last night some of us gathered with the Chens for sort of a big family dinner that was made all the more delightful by the presence of their two children, who just might be the sweetest, best behaved 7 and 9 year old kids I have ever met. Having them there reminded me of my own busy years raising a large family and so I will close with a story about a mother, a daughter, and how we can fix the world.
A busy mom came home at the end of a long tiring day at work wanting nothing more than to sit and do nothing for 10 or 15 minutes. Waiting for her was her little girl, eager to play outside or do some other activity with mom. This mother was determined to get her few minutes of peace, but she also wanted to be a good parent so she had a sudden brainstorm. She grabbed a magazine, flipped through till she found an ad with a picture of the world, cut it into 25 pieces, handed it to her daughter with some scotch tape, and said, “you go put this puzzle together and when you are done, we’ll play.” Feeling pretty good about her parenting skills and confident she had bought herself at least 10 minutes of rest, she was taken aback when her daughter returned just a few minutes later with the world puzzle neatly taped together. The mother couldn’t help but be impressed by her child’s cleverness and asked “how did you put it together so quickly?” The daughter turned the puzzle over to reveal a person and replied, “Well Mommy, I just put the person together and the world kind of took care of itself.” Well, I don’t know if this dangerous and complicated world can quite take care of itself, but I do know that if each of us will try to follow Chen Guangcheng’s powerful example of helping the people around us, and live lives of decency, dignity, and justice, we will indeed be well on our way to putting the puzzle of a better world together.
Thank you."
Chen Guangcheng's Remarks at the 2012 Tom Lantos Human Rights Prize Ceremony
"Hello. I am truly honored to be standing here today, as the recipient of this highest honor in the name of the great human rights defender, Congressman Tom Lantos. Such an honor brings me much encouragement and fills me with emotion. Although this award is being given to me, Chen Guangcheng, I feel that it is a strong validation of everyone working to defend human rights, social justice, and universal values.
Both Congressman Lantos and I share the experience of escaping evil. In June of last year when I heard that I was being given this award, I felt a profound resonance in my heart with Mr. Lantos. The shared experience in evil's lair made us both understand the necessity of taking immediate action in the face of wrongdoing. Who can know how many seekers of justice and human rights will suffer persecution, destruction, or even death at the hands of dictators if we are idle even for just one moment. We must not only remember the atrocities of the fascists, but also recognize that today authoritarianism is firmly entrenched, and that the barbarism of the authoritarian system is the greatest threat to civilized societies. Employing every method available, authoritarian governments will do their utmost to stop the mouths and bind the spirits of good-willed people.
We must be clear: dictatorships are inherently in opposition to democracy and freedom. They are opposed to constitutionalism and the rule of law, and will monopolize all power for their own benefit. They can ravage you at will; if you resist, they will make you a criminal. If you protest, they will make you their enemy. This system starkly and inherently contradicts democratic institutions. If you approach them with dialogue and reason in the hope that they will give up some of their authoritarian power, you will in effect become an accomplice to their work.
Despite my misfortunes, I have been lucky. For many years I have suffered inhumane persecution by the Party authorities; but I have also been blessed with the attention, care and kindness from people around the world. Last May, with the help of so many individuals, I was able to come to the US with my family. We have been warmly welcomed and cared for by the American people, and I would like to express my deepest thanks to all of you for your concern and support. I will remember this always. I would also like to thank the many brave friends who came from far and near to make their way to my village, Dongshigu. Your fearlessness is the crystallization of human conscience. I cannot thank each of you individually in your presence, but I will nonetheless be eternally grateful to you.
Today, I and my immediate family are free in body; but in mind we cannot be free, because so many of my compatriots - including many family members - are still living under the evils of the authoritarian system. For instance, local party authorities are making my nephew pay the price for my escape. At this time he has already been sent to the very jail where I spent so many years, and our family and lawyers have not been allowed to see him. Many others share similar experiences. There is the Beijing lawyer Gao Zhisheng, who is still in prison in Xinjiang, in northwest China. Even during his probation he was disappeared and tortured. Unimaginably, on the day his probation was up, he was put back in prison and is not allowed regular family visits. And there is the journalist Qi Chonghuai who was jailed for his outspokenness. Just when he had almost completed his prison term, his sentence was extended, and his family continues to live under conditions of extreme duress, threats and terror. Liu Xiaobo's wife, Liu Xia, has been living under house arrest for more than two years. The Mongolian writer Ha Da served 17 years in prison. Two years ago his term was finished, but he is still being illegally detained. And of course there are countless petitioners from all over the country who are detained, beaten, or held in black jails, suffering wrongdoing, injury, and trumped up charges. These are not isolated cases of injustice, but represent a reality in China today: legal protection and justice do not exist or are only very rarely available for most citizens.
Human rights reform is inseparable from political reform. However, under the leadership of the party, simply speaking about human rights is no easy task; and of course, defending human rights is even more difficult. But social progress does not come from those in power, whether or not they wish it to be the case. China will see a transformation. How do we encourage this transformation?
I believe the most important thing is to shift our attention from the leadership to the people. To support their activities in moving towards a society that respects human rights, the people need to feel encouraged. That is why international attention is so important, especially because of the following three points. First, international concern validates the often difficult work of social justice. Second, if the media illuminates the activities of the so-called "black hands" who punish those who seek justice, their actions are likely to be less extreme. Third, media reports disseminate information that can lead to an awakening of the populace, and cause more and more people to demand their rights and demand protection of their rights under the law.
That is why I am happy to take this opportunity to mention some Chinese human rights workers. In the past few years there have been countless human rights warriors working for social justice who have dared to say "no" in the face of evil. There are some you will have heard of, like Ai Weiwei, Liu Xiaobo, and Hu Jiao, and many others you may not be familiar with, such as Liu Ping, Zhu Chengzhi, Chen Xi, Liu Guohui, and Li Bifeng. These people, as well as innumerable netizens, have all suffered varying levels of unceasing oppression and persecution for their actions in the cause of righteousness.
A few days ago, petitioners Li Guohui and Wei Lan as well as six other women from my home town who had traveled to Beijing were kidnapped and beaten by thugs working for the Shandong provincial office in Beijing. One of them, Qin Yuling was severely beaten around the face, and others sustained varying levels of injury. Last Friday, a student from Hainan, Dong Zhengzheng went to see my aged mother who was just coming back from the hospital. Just as she was about to leave, her father called her on the phone to tell her that the police had arrived at his house. He said she must go immediately to the public security, otherwise her student status would be jeopardized. Recently, many friends and neighbors who I have been in touch with by phone have been taken into custody by the authorities for questioning. They have been threatened, and made to describe what our conversations have been about. Even foreign journalists are not immune. A Reuter's journalist who has interviewed me was contacted by the foreign ministry and threatened. They told the reporter that Chen Guangcheng is an American spy. We cannot keep silent in the face of these phenomena. It is my sincere hope that in mentioning these people you will come to know them and understand their circumstances, and try to help them in their times of trouble.
As for the United States government, I urge you to continue unwaveringly from your basic principles of democracy, human rights, and freedom of speech. You must not give in an inch or offer the smallest compromise when it comes to these basic principles. Even though the United States now sees a softening of its economy, and it is clearly difficult to shift attention away from issues of finance and economy, remember that placing undue value on material life will cause a deficit in spiritual life. You must establish a long-term plan for human rights, and not compromise on it, ever. What's more, the American people have a responsibility in human rights, because you are able to force the government to live up to its promises. You have freedom of speech and the right to fair elections: you should use these rights to encourage your government to fulfill its responsibilities. If you find it difficult to choose a candidate based solely on economic policies, you can vote according to their human rights record. If a politician cares about human rights, it's likely he or she will care about your well-being. Will a government that cares only about money govern responsibly? Even though the Chinese government will do anything to persecute those who stand up for human rights, fortunately, history shows clearly and unfailingly that aggression and violence cannot destroy the truth, and cannot eliminate what is good and kind in human nature. Moreover, as a Chinese saying describes, "If you carry the hearts and minds of the people, you will carry all below heaven." The government should take note of this: there has never been a dynasty that was able to achieve longevity through forceful oppression. In China in the last few years there have been more than 200,000 protests every year, covering every issue imaginable. More and more people are overcoming their fear to take action. The waves of citizens who have traveled to my village is the best example.
I sincerely hope that everyone - petitioners, human rights workers, civil rights groups, national governments, and especially the United States government - will come together to encourage progress in human rights. There should be no compromise, even if there are large business interests at stake - dignity, freedom and justice are more important. In 2011, the actor Christian Bale went to Dongshigu Village to find me. We were not able to see each other, and he knew he might hurt his own career, but he went anyway. He earned the respect of the Chinese people and people around the world not just as celebrity but a truly decent human being. An individual, an organization, a government, are all the same: as long as you are doing the right thing, you will be respected and validated by the people, and be enriched in both tangible and intangible ways. In many ways it is the intangible riches that are the hardest to come by.
In this key moment of transformation in China, international pressure is extremely important. However, the Chinese sons and daughters back home need to understand that although others can help us, we need to be the main actors in this effort. Democracy, freedom, and justice don't just happen: we must strive for them through action. Last year Myanmar lifted the ban on political parties, and last Friday it abolished media censorship. What the people in Myanmar do, we can do, too. Each of us has something to contribute. As long as we work together as one to overcome fear, we will unquestionably be able to free the nation from bondage. We need to bring to an end this period of history during which the Communist authority maintains a monopoly on power and enslaves the people through a leadership of thieves, and establish a truly civil society. Anything is possible in this world. The strength and potential of all of us are boundless. Please believe in yourselves. Let's work together to make this world a better place!
Thank you!"
Khodorkovsky.com Features a Message From Lantos Foundation President on International Human Rights Day 2012
Katrina Lantos Swett Urges President Obama to Sign Magnitsky Act After Affirmative Senate Vote Today
The Lantos Foundation applauds the passage today in the US Senate of the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act. The bill imposes a variety of sanctions on those who are known to have participated in the detention, abuse and death of Sergei Magnitsky– a brave young lawyer who risked his life to expose widespread corruption and abuse by Russian officials. Individuals implicated in these crimes against Sergei Magnitsky would be denied visas and are subject to having their assets in the United States frozen. This vital legislation sends the clear message to tyrants and torturers around the world that America is determined to stand up for human rights and the rule of law. President of the Lantos Foundation Katrina Lantos Swett commented; “We urge President Obama to sign this important legislation and we hope it will become a template for similar sanctions to be imposed on gross violators of human rights globally.”