Prominent human rights lawyer from China to speak

Press Conference Invitation: Wednesday, 24 March, 11.30am – 12.30pm

Legatum Institute, 11 Charles Street, Mayfair (Green Park tube) London, W1J 5DW

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) and Release International cordially invite you to a press conference at Mayfair’s Legatum Institute on Wednesday, 24 March. A prominent Chinese human rights lawyer and Bob Fu, the President of US-based rights organisation China Aid Association (CAA.), will share previously untold details about their work advocating for high-profile victims of human rights violations in China.

Bob Fu, President and founder of CAA, will reflect on his work promoting human rights and particularly religious freedom, since the disappearance of human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng, 400 days ago. The Nobel Peace Prize nominee disappeared on 4 February 2009 after being hauled away by Chinese officials. 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 including house church leaders and practitioners of Falun Gong. Sources inside China suggest Gao will have been severely tortured during his detention.

The Founding Partner of a Beijing law firm and prominent Chinese human rights lawyer will focus on the tragic case of Chinese Christian, Alimujiang Yimiti, sentenced to fifteen years for the disputed conviction of “instigating separatism and revealing state secrets,” on October 27, 2009. Reports suggest Mr Yimiti’s trial did not follow due process under Chinese or international law. Our guest speaker will reveal just how difficult it is to obtain access to a defence lawyer in human rights cases and particularly those involving religious freedom.

Both guests will later brief British parliamentarians over the current domestic situation in China in relation to religious freedom.

CSW’s Advocacy Director Tina Lambert said: “We are honoured to have such renowned and courageous guests coming to speak at this press conference. The issue of religious freedom in China is of utmost importance, demonstrated by the injustice done to both Alimujiang Yimiti and Gao Zhisheng. We call on the international community to continue and indeed increase their efforts to see them released, and work towards a situation where religious freedom and belief is respected in China and lawyers can operate unhindered.”

The CEO of Release International, said: ‘We are delighted that these two distinguished guests can speak at this press conference. The cases of Gao and Alimujiang highlight not only the issue of human rights violations in China but also the wider issue of religious freedom in that nation. We would urge the international community to use all its influence to work for their release – and the release of others whose names we may not know but who have been unjustly treated merely because of their religious beliefs or their efforts to defend human rights.’

• For photographs of Gao Zhisheng, Alimujiang Yimiti and Bob Fu, and his biography, please contact the press office.
• Please confirm your attendance prior to the event and interview requests, by calling 078 2332 9663, 0208 329 0045, or by emailing theresamalinowska@csw.org.uk
• There will be disabled access and facilities at the Legatum Institute on the day.
• For more information on the work of CSW, click here, Release International, click hereand China Aid, please click here, and the Legatum Institute, please click here.