CSW calls for release of human rights defender

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) remains gravely concerned about Christian lawyer Gao Zhisheng who will have been missing for 150 days on July 4 2009. He was last seen being hauled away by Chinese officials.

The Nobel Peace Prize nominee and human rights lawyer disappeared on 4 February 2009. Following international pressure, the Chinese Ambassador to the United States, Zhou Wenzhong, recently issued a statement saying that Gao is “currently serving probation” and that, “the public security bureau has taken no mandatory action against him,” but no further information has been provided regarding his whereabouts.

Since 2005, Gao has been repeatedly arrested, tortured and imprisoned because of his work upholding human rights, defending other human rights activists and religious minorities, such as house church leaders and practitioners of Falun Gong. In 2007 he was arrested after he sent an open letter to the US Congress detailing human rights abuses leading up to the Olympic Games. He was tortured by Chinese authorities for more than 50 days. Though he had been threatened with death if he revealed the torture, he wrote an open letter detailing his horrific experiences. It is believed his current disappearance is a direct result of his speaking out. China Aid Association have reported that sources inside China suggest Gao is being severely tortured.

Gao’s wife and two children, who have since fled to the US because of harassment endangering their safety, are particularly concerned for his welfare. Gao once predicted that every human rights lawyer in China would one day become a human rights case. Gao was convinced that if he were to suffer for standing for truth, people of justice would stand with him.

CSW’s Advocacy Director, Tina Lambert said: “CSW calls for the immediate release of Gao Zhisheng. His case symbolises the continuing threat faced by human rights defenders in China and is a sign of the wider human rights violations, which continue to be perpetrated by State actors. We urge China to match its economic liberalism with serious improvements in human rights.”

Notes to Editors:

• A petition calling for Gao’s release can be found at www.freegao.com
• For Gao’s photograph, please contact CSW’s press office.