Chen Guangcheng and Hu Jia appear together in a photo released by Mr Hu's wife Zeng Jinyan
On April 22, Chen Guangcheng, a blind human rights lawyer, under house arrest since 2010, and after serving over 4 years in prison for exposing China’s massive campaign of forced abortions and sterilization, was rescued from the village of Donshigu in Shandong Providnce by a group of human rights activists, including Ms. He Zhenzhu and Mr. Guo Yushan. Chen Guangcheng is now hiding somewhere safe in Beijing. According to sources from inside China, Chen Guancheng and his supporters want President Obama to raise the issue of Chen Guangcheng during the upcoming the U.S./ China Strategic Economic Summit.
Mr. Chen Guangcheng escape from house arrest has embarrassed and infuriated local authorities. On the night after Mr. Chen’s escape, the authorities hired local thugs to heavily beat family members. Chen Guangcheng’s brother was also arrested. According to various sources from Shandong, the district mayor, Zhang Zhen, entered Cheng Guangcheng’s nephew’s house with a group of thugs in the middle of the night to harass the family, Chen Guangcheng’s nephew, Chen Kegui, was beaten severely. In self defense, Chen Kegui injured Zhang with a kitchen knife. Chen Kugui turned himself in to the local authorities later that evening. Following this incident, two dozen police officers entered Chen Guangcheng’s brother’s house and beat Chen Guangcheng’s sister-in-law.
As the same time, the supporters who drove Chen Guangcheng away, including Mr. Gao Yushan and He Zhezhu, were also arrested. It is unknown where Chen Guangcheng is located. But some unconfirmed sources suggested that he entered the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. However, it is believed that he is in a safe location at the moment.
President of Initiatives for China, Dr.Yang Jianli, notified the U.S. State Department about the current situation of Chen Guangcheng early on the morning of April 27, Beijing time. Dr.Yang Jianli has also established a communication channel with the U.S. / China Strategic Economic Talk team led by Secretary Michael Posner, the Assistant Secretary of Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. Initiatives for China is also providing frequent updates of Chen Guangcheng’s situation to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Initiatives for China expresses its concern for the safety of Chen Guangcheng, his family, and his supporters who helped him escape. Dr. Yang Jianli believes and hopes that Chen Guangcheng’s escape from local authorities, is an opportunity for Chen and his family to end their nightmare. Dr. Yang Jianli calls for support from the United Nations, international NGOs, government organizations, and media to work together for the safety of Chen Guangcheng, his family, and his supporters.