Congressman Chris Smith reports that the blind Chinese human rights defender Chen Guangcheng surprised the world by testifying via
telephone before the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China, joining
other human rights organizations around the world decrying human rights abuses
associated with the Chinese government's brutal one-child policy that includes
forced abortions and forced sterilizations, at a hearing held today by
Commission Chairman Chris Smith (NJ-04).
Due to a timely phone call, Chen, who last week found refuge
in the U.S. Embassy in Bejing to highlight his and his families' suffering at
the hands of the Chinese government, testified at the hearing by speaking
through a translator—former Chinese prisoner Bob Fu of ChinaAid.
"I'm really afraid for my other family members
lives," Chen said from his hospital room. "I want to meet with
Secretary Clinton, I hope I can get more help from her. I also want to thank
her face-to-face. I really feared for my other family members' lives."
Chen testified that his home has numerous video cameras
surrounding it and an electric fence. Chen said he wanted "to make the
request to have my freedom of travel guaranteed." He told Smith he wanted
to come to the United States with his family, Smith said.
"The thing of most concern right now is the safety of
my mother and brother; I really want to know what's going on with them,"
Chen said.
Smith told Chen that the hearing was being held with high
hopes for his wellbeing.
"You have a panel of people who have just testified on
your behalf, all of whom deeply, deeply care about you and your family as well
as those who helped you," Smith said. "I think the word is getting
out and there are members of National and International press here, that your
case is the test, the test, of Chinese commitment to protect you, which they've
given—we're very dubious about those assurances—but also the test of the United
States as to whether or not human rights really do matter. Your plea that the
Secretary of State who did not meet with you in the embassy, go to your
hospital room and meet with you. You and your family and your supporters need
to be on a plane coming to the United States for, as you put it, that rest that
you so richly deserve."
