Lantos Foundation Supports the Call for Urgent Medical Evacuation of Likely Poisoned Russian Democracy Activist

The Lantos Foundation supports the request for an urgent medical evacuation of Russian political activist Vladimir Kara-Murza. Kara-Murza fell suddenly ill on May 27th and remains unconscious. It is widely suspected that he may have been a victim of poisoning.

Kara Murza has been a longtime member of Russia’s political opposition and it is believed he may have been targeted for attack following the release of a documentary film by Open Russia, a Russian civil society organization where Kara-Murza works as the coordinator. The film details allegations of rampant corruption and human rights abuses by the government of Chechen ruler Ramzan Kadyrov.

Mr. Kara-Murza’s wife, Evgenia Kara-Murza, issued the following statement asking for her husband’s evacuation;

“My husband Vladimir Kara-Murza suddenly fell ill on May 27, 2015, and was hospitalized in Moscow with symptoms of poisoning. In order to get an independent medical assessment of his condition I have requested an urgent medical evacuation to a medical center in Europe or Israel where full toxicology testing and treatment can be done. “

Lantos Foundation President, Katrina Lantos Swett, said;

“It is vital that Vladimir Kara-Murza be immediately evacuated to an appropriate medical facility where he can receive emergency treatment and where an independent evaluation of the circumstances leading to his mysterious collapse can be conducted. Far too many courageous political activists have lost their lives under suspicious circumstances in Russia. This brave man must not become the latest victim in an increasingly dangerous political environment. We call upon the Russian government to honor the request of Mr. Kara-Murza’s wife for his prompt evacuation to a medical facility in Europe.”

Three Organizations Salute Chinese Human Rights Activist

Lantos Foundation, Catholic University, and Witherspoon Institute Applaud New Memoir by Chen Guangcheng

Leaders at the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice, The Catholic University of America, and the Witherspoon Institute offered their congratulations today to Chinese human rights activist Chen Guangcheng on the publication of his new memoir, The Barefoot Lawyer, released earlier this month by Henry Holt. The official launch of his book in Washington is scheduled for March 19 at the National Press Club

Chen has been affiliated with all three institutions since fall 2013.

The Barefoot Lawyer relates the events of Chen’s life, from his childhood to his struggles against the Chinese government. Blind since infancy, Chen became a self-trained “barefoot lawyer” who advocates for disabled persons and the interests of poor villagers in rural China, and against the brutal tactics used to enforce the state’s one-child policy, which include forced abortions and sterilizations.

As a result of his efforts, Chen was imprisoned for four years and illegally subjected to house arrest, before he eventually escaped on foot to the American embassy in Beijing. After his story made international news, Chen found asylum in the United States.

“Chen Guangcheng’s story is one of immense personal courage and conviction as well as a chilling reminder of the outrageous abuse and persecution endured by those who dare to advocate for fundamental human rights and justice in China,” said Katrina Lantos Swett, president of the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice. “Mr. Chen’s book will open the eyes of readers to some disturbing and inconvenient truths about China’s treatment of its brave reformers. This ‘blind and barefoot’ hero sees clearly and walks unafraid,” added Lantos Swett.

“This important book makes clear not only Chen's personal bravery against oppression, but it also reveals the systemic failure of human rights progress in China. Powerful and eye-opening book!” said Stephen Schneck, director of The Catholic University of America’s Institute for Policy Research & Catholic Studies.

“The Barefoot Lawyer is must reading for all who are concerned for the future of human rights and the rule of law, in China and everywhere else. It is a story that can make us all braver people,” said Matthew Franck, director of the Center on Religion and the Constitution, the Witherspoon Institute.

Since the fall of 2013, Chen Guangcheng has been a visiting fellow of Catholic University’s Institute for Policy Research & Catholic Studies, a distinguished senior fellow in human rights of the Witherspoon Institute and a senior distinguished advisor to the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice.  He has continued his activism on behalf of religious freedom, self-government for the people of Hong Kong, and the basic rights of the Chinese people. 

An author discussion and book signing for The Barefoot Lawyer is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19 at the National Press Club (NPC). Lantos Swett, Schneck, and Franck are scheduled to attend the event. For more information about the NPC event, visit press.org/events/guangcheng. For more information about Chen’s affiliation with Catholic University, contact Mary McCarthy Hines in the Office of Public Affairs at cua-public-affairs@cua.edu or 202-319-5600.

PRESS RELEASE - Katrina Lantos Swett & Other Prominent Religious Freedom Advocates Offer to take Saudi Lashings in Raif Badawi's Place

Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett, President of the Lantos Foundation, has joined with other prominent religious freedom advocates in calling on Saudi Arabia to cancel the sentence of 1,000 lashes that has been imposed on liberal blogger Raif Badawi. The advocates are offering to each take 100 of the lashes to which Badawi has been sentenced if the Saudi government refuses to cancel his punishment. The signatories of the letter include: Professor Robert George of Princeton University, Mary Ann Glendon, former Ambassador to the Holy See; Professor Daniel Mark of Villanova University; Dr. Zuhdi Jasser, President of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy; Eric Schwartz, Dean of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota; and Hannah Rosenthal, CEO of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation.

In a letter sent today to the Saudi embassy they cite the “grave injustice” of his sentence and write, “We would rather share in his victimization than stand by and watch him being cruelly tortured.” 

The Lantos Foundation and these individuals join a powerful chorus of voices including leading US Senators, Amnesty International, the US State Department, and others in condemning Saudi Arabia’s action in this case as barbaric.

Read the Letter Here