Congressional Hearing Reveals State Dept. Failure to Protect Chen and his Family

By Lisa Correnti | May 4, 2012

Yesterday the Congressional Executive Commission on China (CECC) met to “address ongoing developments in the Chen Guangcheng case and reported prospects for himself, his family and his supporters.” Chairman Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) presided over the hearing in which six witnesses reported on details surrounding the two year detention of Chen and his family, his escape on April 22 to the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, and a so-called agreement negotiated between the U.S. Embassy and the Chinese government which led to Chen leaving the embassy on his on volition.

In Congressman Smith’s opening statement he reviewed the some six years of abuse suffered by blind human rights activist Chen Guangcheng for exposing China’s brutal enforcement of its one-child policy.

“It was with great relief that I — and millions around the world — learned of his escape and his reaching safety at the American Embassy in Beijing on Friday morning.  Yet it is with equally great concern that I convene this hearing.  Having been handed over to Chinese officials by American diplomats yesterday, Chen, his wife Yuan and the rest of his family and friends appear to be in significant danger. The eyes of the world are watching to see that his wishes are honored by the Chinese government.”

Co-chairman Representative Frank Wolf (R-VA) called for more information regarding the terms of the agreement between the State Dept and the Chinese government and referred to the handling by the Obama administration as “naïve.”

While details are still emerging, it appears that the most generous read of the administration’s handling of this case is that it was naïve in accepting assurances from a government that has a well-known and documented history of brutally repressing its own people under this government.

Wolf said he intends to review all cables and communications.  He said the Obama administration has a high moral obligation to protect Chen and his family and anything less would be scandalous. Wolf said the Administration must be bold and if if Chen desires to leave and come to the U.S. then he must be granted asylum.

Witness Reggie Littlejohn, President of Women’s Rights Without Frontiers testified that Chen was punished for reporting on the human rights violations by population control enforcement officials in Linyi County of the Shanghai Province where 130,000 illegal abortions where performed in one year.

Witness Pastor Bob Fu, Founder and President of China Aid gave his own account of Chen’s departure from the U.S. Embassy after speaking with him. Chen told Fu that a message was relayed to him from a U.S. state official while in the embassy that the Chinese government wanted Chen to know he would never see his family again if he did not leave the Embassy. Chen said it was with a “heavy heart” that he decided to leave. Upon reuniting with his wife Chen told Fu he had learned his wife was taken to a criminal interrogation center and tied up and beaten. Chen’s wife was told if her husband did not walk out of the U.S. embassy they would kill her.

During yesterdays hearing Fu was once again able to reach Chen who while at the Embassy in Beijing asked State Dept. officials if he could speak to Congressman Smith. Pastor Fu translated:

I would like to make a request to have my freedom of travel guaranteed, Chen said.  I want to come to the U.S. for a period of rest which I have not had in the past ten years. I would like to meet with Secretary Clinton and hope to receive more help from her and I would like to thank her.  I fear for my families lives. There have been seven security cameras installed in my house. My greatest concern is for the safety of my family including my mother and brothers.

Chen also said that when it was discovered he had left his home his child was not permitted to go to school. Chen ended the call with “I want to thank all of you for your care and for your love.”

Congreeman Smith told Chen that he was deeply concerned for him, his family and for He Peirong, who assisted him in his escape and was taken into custody. A tweet from He yesterday said she was safely home however no one has been able to confirm this.

Smith told Chen that his case is “the test, the test on whether human rights really matter to the United States” and he called on Hillary Clinton to meet with Chen. Currently no state officials have been allowed to meet with Chen while in the hospital. Smith told Chen we were praying for him and that we would be unceasing in our efforts to secure his freedom.

After the call Rep. Smith called on President Obama to engage in the issue as the leader of the free world. Obama previously responded “no comment” when asked about Chen. Smith reminded him that during the horrible times of Apartheid, presidents weighed in to defend dissident political activists.

Secretary Clinton and Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner are in Beijing meeting with Chinese officials on economic issues.

In 2009 when Secretary Clinton visited Bejing reports indicated that human rights activists were prevented from leaving their homes. Zeng Jinyan, the wife of an imprisoned AIDS activist Hu Jia, was told not to leave her home as were other dissidents.

CECC witness Dr. Sophie Richardson, China Director at Human Rights Watch opened her testimony by saying if the Chinese government were serious about human rights and the rule of law we wouldn’t be having this discussion. Richardson cautioned that we must monitor what happens to other activists who may suffer in the future due to this case. She said it would be a “tremendous tragedy if the heightened awareness shifts when Secretary Clinton leaves town.”

Also testifying was Michael Horowitz from the Hudson Institute. Horowitz  spoke of the incompetence of the State dept. during the negotiating process. He spoke of the blackout on the internet in China upon Chen’s escape with all reference to Chen or “blind lawyer” being blocked. Horowitz reported that unused funds sit that have been appropriated for the purpose of tearing down their internet firewall. Horowitz advocated for an environment that allows news to reach Chinese citizens ….like when Chens wife was beaten. He said we have it within our means to broadcast within 10 minutes any torture or abuse. Horowitz concluded that firewall circumvention must be a priority so “Chens suffering has not been done in vain.”

Reports today are that Chen and his family have received an invitation from an American University. Chinese spokesman, Liu Weimin, said Chen “can apply through normal channels to the relevant departments in accordance with the law, just like any other Chinese citizen.” Whether Chen’s application would be approved is unknown.

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