In Profiles in Courage, President Kennedy told the stories of men who acted on principle and in the national interest, even thought it put their own political careers at risk. Each of these men displayed a rare form of courage, sacrificing their future, and that of their families; to do what they believed was right for their country.
While these men gave up status, fame, and comfort to do the right thing, other men have sacrificed their lives or suffered long imprisonment through their non-violent struggles against slavery, racism, grave injustice, and the like.
Figures like Mahatma Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, and Martin Luther King are remembered by millions of people around the world for their acts to serve a purpose that transcends the self and servers a greater good for the community of man.
In this historical saga of sacrifice and courage, there is a man, known to many as the conscience of China, who dared to openly state the truth about China's persecution of underground Christians and practitioners of Falun Gong.
In spite of the likelihood of being subjected to unlawful arrest and detention, severe and brutal torture, and unlawful criminal sanctions, Gao Zhisheng, openly urged China to extend the rights guaranteed to all Chinese Citizens, including underground Christians and practitioners of Falun Gong, by the Chinese Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As Gao himself so eloquently states in his second open letter about the persecution of Falun Gong :
Be it international law and standards or China's Constitution, it is absolutely not allowed for anyone to violate human rights and persecute his own fellow citizen inhumanely with any excuse. This is precisely based on the belief in the universal values for mankind and the respect for rule of law.I solemnly suggest to both of you to decide as soon as possible to stop persecuting spiritual believers and amend your ties with the Chinese people, to truly achieve "rule of law and the constitution" and establish a new China on the basis of democracy, rule of law and constitutional government. Such practice of yours will gain infinite support from the Chinese people and from people all over the world!
Yesterday, the Chinese regime made clear that rather than acknowledge its misdeeds and mend its ways, it will do its best to silence Gao and all others who play a special role not only in giving voice to those who are unable to speak for themselves, but also and more generally interface between the victims of human rights abuses and the mechanisms of legal redress. Without evidence, without legal counsel, without legal authority, the People's Republic of China has found Gao Zhisheng guilty of "inciting subversion of state power."
According to his lawyer, attorney Mo Shaoping quoted in the New York Times, "[t]he process of the trial [was] totally illegal, because during the investigation of the case, no lawyer was allowed to be present or offer evidence or help Gao Zhisheng." Although Court officials told [him] it would be an open trial, no one was allowed to attend."
Gao's attorneys have cautioned against taking seriously the Chinese authorities statements about the matter, including reports that Gao has openly acknowledged his guilt. As anyone familiar with the Chinese system knows, if Gao had agreed to cooperate with his "captors," he would now be a free man.
Human Rights Law Foundation ("HRLF") takes seriously the persecution of human rights defenders and rights advocates in China and, in support thereof, makes the following pledge:
All of those who are implicated in the illegal arrest, trial and sentence of Gao, as principals, aiders, abettors, or co-conspirators, are subject to criminal prosecution for their crimes under international law, Chinese law, and the laws of most democratic nations around the world. HRLF has issued a global alert to locate them, and to have them extradited to stand trial for their crimes.
Finally, to all kind hearted people of the world, please stand firm on this issue and inform your government of the importance of their support for the immediate release of Gao, the return of his law license and the cessation of the persecution of underground Christians, Falun Gong, and rights defenders in China forthwith.
The Human Rights Law Foundation is a not-for-profit human rights public interest NGO that defends the rights of all to be free from torture and other egregious human rights abuses.
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