On the recordFebruary 16, 2011
Once again the Chinese government has targeted a human rights proponent for persecution, Dr. Fan Yafeng, head of the Christian Human Rights Lawyers of China. Dr. Yafeng was granted an interview last October with National Public Radio regarding the absence of the Chinese delegation at the Lausanne Congress, which is an international gathering of evangelicals. The government's response to the interview was systematic interrogation, search and seizure, and torture. He is currently under house arrest, guarded by police in Beijing and cut off from the outside world. Those attempting to contact him through family have also endured police brutality. I call upon the State Department and our Embassy in Beijing to reach out to Dr. Yafeng to verify his condition and apply pressure on the Chinese government to ensure his release. The Chinese government's continued persecution of human rights advocates, harassment, brutality, and house arrest must not be tolerated. I hope that we will stand up for Dr. Yafeng and support his peaceful work to bring freedom and dignity to the Chinese people.
