China Tortures Christian Lawyer

Gao Zhisheng. Image courtesy of Voice of America.



Joel Kontinen

Chinese police beat and mistreated human rights activist Gao Zhisheng for 48 hours without a break. Gao, a Christian lawyer, has had to suffer terribly for his courageous stand against human rights abuses in China. For several years the police have taken him from one prison to another. At times, his wife and children have not even known whether he was alive.

Unfortunately, many western leaders have been reluctant to take up the issue with Chinese leaders for fear of losing a lucrative market for their goods.

You can read more about human rights infringements in China on the China Aid webpages.

Source:

Hutzler, Charles. 2011. AP Exclusive: Missing Chinese lawyer told of abuse. The Washington Post. (10 January)

China Keeps Christian Lawyer Behind Bars

Freedom of religion is a mere dream in the land of Chairman Mao’s successors. Image courtesy of Wikipedia.





Joel Kontinen



Twenty years after the Tienanmen Square massacre, freedom of religion is still a mere dream in the People’s Republic of China. Christian attorney Gao Zhisheng, who has defended house church Christians, was arrested in early February. He has not been released although there is no legal reason to keep him behind bars.

Chinese authorities have not disclosed where Gao Zhisheng is being kept. He has repeatedly been tortured and imprisoned for defending Christians.

Western Christians have appealed to Chinese authorities to release Gao Zhisheng. However, Chinese officials have been reluctant to comply to international pressure.

You can read more about Gao Zhisheng here and also sign a petition demanding his release.