Gao Zhisheng's Life in Danger - Please Help Now!
WHERE IS GAO ZHISHENG? READ THE TRUTH. ADD YOUR VOICE.
It's been a while since I mentioned Gao Zhisheng.
Supporters around the world were shocked on March 27, 2010, when Gao Zhisheng spoke with his family for the first time since he was abducted on February 4 last year. Media buzzed with news of his reappearance, as Gao Zhisheng connected with friends, family, reporters and colleagues. But even this brief reprieve from silence was not free.
"Gao was being held under tight security during the time he spoke with his family," says President of ChinaAid Bob Fu. "When I spoke with him on the phone in March, he was being closely monitored, not at liberty to give details about his location or condition."
On April 15 and 16, Gao Zhisheng visited his in-laws in Xinjiang, telling them he would be flying home to Beijing at 10 AM on April 20. Gao never arrived home at his apartment, and has not been seen or heard from in more than 8 weeks. See the media reports on Gao Zhisheng's forced "Re-Disappearance."
Now that he has disappeared again, it is clear that Gao's life is in danger as long as he is in the custody of the Chinese government. During this complex and difficult time, efforts are already in progress to push for Gao's release from China and for a safe reunion with his family in the United States.
"We continue to denounce the Chinese Government's brutal and unjust treatment of Gao Zhisheng!" says Bob Fu. "We will not rest until Gao is released and allowed to reunite with his wife and children in peace."
Christian human rights Attorney Gao Zhisheng was seized by a dozen police officers and last seen in public on February 4, 2009. Gao has been repeatedly kidnapped, arrested, imprisoned and tortured by Chinese authorities for defending the persecuted. He has been an unyielding and iconic advocate for justice in the Chinese courts and was even nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2008.
On January 21, 2010, the Chinese government publicly acknowledged Gao Zhisheng to be in their custody, for the first time since his abduction more than 365 days ago. In response to a reporter's inquiry, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ma Zhaoxu said: "The relevant judicial authorities have decided this case, and we should say this person, according to Chinese law, is where he should be." Mr. Ma then added, "As far as what exactly he's doing, I don't know. You can ask the relevant authorities."
The Ministry's comments brought a glimmer of hope to Gao supporters around the world. Since December 2009, rumors of Gao's death from torture in prison have spread uncertainty. Just one week before Mr. Ma spoke to the media, Gao's older brother, Gao Zhiyi, was informed by a police officer that Gao Zhisheng had gotten "lost and went missing while out on a walk" in September, 2009. The news of his death, then alleged disappearance, devastated Gao's wife and children.
Finally, on January 20, 2010, an Australian newspaper reported from an inside source that "Gao is still alive at present ... he's not missing."
From this and other inside reports, ChinaAid believes Gao Zhisheng is still alive in the custody of the Chinese government, but continues to suffer extreme emotional and physical pain.
More reports:
U.S. Department of State's Response to Attorney David Taylor's Inquiry about Gao Zhisheng, 1/25/2010.
CAA Press Release: Police Officer Says Gao Zhisheng Went Missing, 1/14/2010.
Attorney Jiang Tianyong's Public Testimony on Defending Gao Zhisheng.
Read the Congressional Letter to President Hu Jintao, 9/8/2009.
ChinaAid thanks the 126,200 people who signed the Petition to Free Gao, the thousands of supporters who sent 469,500 e-mail inquiries to Chinese businesses and government offices, the more than 11,200 individuals who contacted their U.S. Representatives, and the countless others who faxed and called the Chinese Embassy for Gao's release last year in 2009.
Now, join ChinaAid as we take Gao’s case to the next level. In the coming months, we will be expanding the campaign to target international bodies, like the United Nations and the European Union. Urge others to add their voice to the petition, and continue contacting their representatives, as we press the Chinese government to Free Gao Zhisheng.
STEPS TO ACTION.
1. Sign the petition
Add your voice, and encourage your friends to sign the petition, to make the Chinese government aware that the world is watching this situation and to call them to account for their inhumane treatment of Gao Zhisheng. ChinaAid will continue to gather names and submit them to the Chinese authorities until Attorney Gao is free. So far, 137,005 people have signed the petition. (updates every 15 mins.)
Sign the petition now.
Click here to forward to your family and friends.
2. Send a message to leaders.
For U.S. Residents: Send a message to your U.S. Representative
Your representative was elected to protect and enable the will of the people - that means you! Send a message to your U.S. Representative requesting their support to call for Gao Zhisheng's release. Encourage the leaders and members of your community to participate, and together we will send a resounding message to the Chinese government that the United States has not forgotten the power of freedom and human rights. So far, 13,857 people have sent messages to their local U.S. Representative. (updates every 15 mins.) Click here to commit to contacting your U.S. Representative.
Click here to forward to your family and friends.
For U.S. & International Citizens: Contact U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Last year, 18,516 people sent over 469,500 e-mails to Chinese businesses and local governing officials inquiring about Gao Zhisheng. Now it's time to raise your concerns to the next level. Call on the United Nations to uphold its commitment to human rights, and encourage U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to personally and publicly urge the Chinese government to make Gao's whereabouts and condition known. So far, 2,952 people have sent messages to the Office of U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. (updates every 15 mins.) Click here to contact U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Click here to forward to your family and friends.
3. Donate to serve the persecuted
in China.
There is a current need to provide help for the persecuted in China. Your support enables ChinaAid to provide well-timed legal advocacy for Christian prisoners, as well as basic needs for their families. Most of all, your gift is a sign of encouragement to the persecuted church in China that they do not walk alone. Donate Now.
For more ways to take action . . .
Sources: http://www.freegao.com/index.html?refnum= & China Aid email
© Ken Glasgow 2010
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