June 19, 2013

Secretary John Kerry to Discuss Chen Guangchen’s Nephew Chen Kegui with China

Secretary Kerry is Greeted by Chinese President Xi Jinping

In his talk at the New School on February 6, 2013 (see our posting summarizing that event), the blind Chinese lawyer Chen Guangcheng expressed great concern about the arrest and sentencing of his nephew, Chen Kegui, by local authorities in home Chen's province. He believes that attacks on Chen's family members and unfair trial and sentencing of his nephew were actions taken in retaliation for  … continue reading >>

Chen Guangcheng Calls Rule of Law Essential in China for Human Rights

US Ambassador Gary Locke with Chen Guangcheng, May 1, 2012

Blind Chinese lawyer Chen Guangcheng, who is studying at NYU law school under asylum in the US, gave a talk on February 6, 2013, at the New School in New York City on “The Future of the Rule of Law and Human Rights in China.” CCS had advocated on behalf of granting asylum to Chen in 2012, when he fled from house arrest and mistreatment by Chinese authorities to the US Embassy in Beijing.  … continue reading >>

CCS Protests Sentence and Disbarment of Human Rights Attorney Abdolfattah Soltani

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The Committee of Concerned Scientists sent a letter to Ayatolla Ail Khamenei, Supremem Leader of Iran, protesting the 13 year sentence given to Abdolfattah Soltani, a prominent human rights attorney,  for "spreading propaganda against the system,” and "endangering national security".  … continue reading >>

Ronald Reagan’s Lessons for the Chen Guangcheng Case Can Still be Useful

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China’s blind activist expertly used the power of the U.S. to magnify his cause. Here’s how Obama should keep up the pressure: by taking a page from Ronald Reagan’s dealings with Russia. by Walter Reich, CCS Co-chair “Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world.” That’s what Archimedes, the Greek mathematician, said 2,300 years ago. And  … continue reading >>

Grant US Asylum to Blind Chinese lawyer, CCS Urges Secretary of State Clinton

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Chen Guangcheng, a self-taught Chinese advocate for families forced to undergo sterilization and abortions, was imprisoned for four years and subsequently detained in his house and mistreated without charges for 19 months. After a dramatic escape, Chen Guangcheng sought refuse in the US embassy in Beijing. CCS urges US authorities to grant asylum to Chen and to his family.  … continue reading >>

CCS Statement of Shock at Death of Cuban Activist Wilmar Villar Mendoza After Hunger Strike in Jail

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The Committee of Concerned Scientists expresses its shock and sadness at the death of Wilmar Villar Mendoza, a 31-year old member of the human rights group UMPACU (Union Patriotica de Cuba). Villar was beaten and arrested following a peaceful protest in Contramaestre on November 14, 2011, and sentenced to four years in prison. He began a hunger strike in the Prison of Aguadores on November 25,  … continue reading >>