Front Line Defenders Issues Open Letter in Recognition of Chen Ziming
On December 30th, 2013, international foundation Front Line Defenders awarded Chinese democracy activist Mr. Chen Ziming honorary recognition of his sacrifice in advancing human rights. In their signed letter to Mr. Chen, the foundation predicted that “the name of Chen Ziming will in time echo in China as a man who stayed steadfast to his belief that democracy and freedom of opinion and expression was the right of all Chinese people.”
Mr. Chen has long drawn international support and attention for his tremendous contributions towards advancing freedom in China, this winter alone receiving both the Tom Lantos Legacy Award and a National Endowment for Democracy honorary tribute. The Chinese communist regime arrested Mr. Chen after the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdowns, sentencing Mr. Chen to 13 years in prison and banning his writings. Released in 2002, Mr. Chen has continued his role as a prominent advocate for rights and freedom despite being a target of heavy regime surveillance.
Citizen Power for China (aka Initiatives for China) congratulates Mr. Chen Ziming for receiving this well-deserved achievement, and thanks Front Line Defenders for acknowledging Mr. Chen’s four decades of commitment towards the advancement of Chinese freedom and human rights.