LINYI, China, December 5, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Chinese forced abortion opponent is Chen Guangcheng is alive, reports Women’s Rights Without Frontiers, based on information from a reliable source inside China. The news follows an unconfirmed report from early October that Chen had died under house arrest.
According to the source, who requested anonymity, “Now his mother is allowed to go outside to buy food although escorted by three guards, and his health also is getting better.”
The source attributed the improved treatment of Chen to the fact that “Chen’s situation was exposed and got huge public attention.”
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Chen became subject to the anger of the Chines regime after he exposed the fact that there were 130,000 forced abortions and sterilizations under China’s One Child Policy, in Linyi County in 2005. He was jailed for four years and three months, during which time he was tortured and denied medical treatment. He and his family remain under house arrest.
One campaign that brought considerable visibility to Chen’s plight was the flow of concerned citizens attempting to visit him for his fortieth birthday on November 12. Many of these citizens were beaten and detained.
In addition, the “Chen Sunglasses Freedom” campaigns inside and outside of China have raised the visibility of his case. These campaigns post photos of people wearing sunglasses in support of Chen.
The source stated, “I think it’s great. I think it’s very helpful for people all over the world to show they care about Chen through the Sunglasses campaigns. I think it’s very important to show support inside and outside the country – we can work together.”
These campaigns, spearheaded by Women’s Rights Without Frontiers and Dark Glasses Portrait, can be found here and here.
The source also commended the video, “Free Chen Guangcheng,” saying that watching this video has inspired many to take action. “People inside China weep when they watch it,” she said.
The source continued, “Chen’s situation has indeed improved. I have just sent him some medicine and covered the expenses for his family in the market . . . Some relatives can visit his mother and deliver some items under surveillance.”
The source cautioned, however, that the slightly improved condition of Chen’s house arrest is not a reason to relax the campaign to free him. Most relatives of Chen and his wife are not allowed to visit, including their son and his wife’s parents. Moreover, the fact that Chen is now allowed food and medicine “is still far away from our basic request, that is, Chen should be freed right away, according to China’s own law.”
According to the source, the persecution of Chen supporters continues. An activist who announced that she would wear sunglasses in Linyi’s central square this weekend was detained on Thursday. Also Thursday, another activist from Yantai and a writer from Beijing, were arrested in Shandong attempting to distribute plastic bags and balloons bearing Chen’s image, in honor of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, celebrated December 3.
Reggie Littlejohn, President of Women’s Rights Without Frontiers, stated, “We are thrilled and relieved that Chen is alive and his health is improving. This improved treatment demonstrates the power of the collaborative effort inside and outside China to raise the visibility of his case. We greatly admire the brave citizens inside China, who are risking their safety to stand up for Chen.”
Littlejohn added, “We commend the courageous and persistent efforts of Rep. Chris Smith to visit Chen and urge the Chinese government to grant him a visa. We also urge U.S. Ambassador to China, Gary Locke, to visit Chen. We demand the immediate, unqualified release of Chen Guangcheng and his family. Chen’s ongoing house arrest is illegal and his medical condition remains weak.”
Find out more about the Chen Sunglasses Freedom Campaign here and here.
Watch the video, “Free Chen Guangcheng!” here.
Sign the Free Chen petition here.