Letter from Foundation For China In the 21st Century to All SenatorsFoundation For China In the 21st Century June 25th, 2003
The Honorable Senator
The Honorable Senator, First of all, we, the Foundation For China In the 21st Century in the US, would like to thank you for your supporting us in our efforts to get the Chinese government to release Dr. Yang Jianli, our president of the Foundation and Massachusetts resident, who has been held incommunicado by Chinese authorities since April 24, 2002, when he traveled to China. Dr. Yang is a prominent activist of Chinese pro-democracy movement. Under his leadership our Foundation, as an intellectual think-tank, has provided theoretical and strategic thinking for transformation of constitutional democratization in China. The situation of Dr. Yang now is worse than before it was. Chinese government has held Dr. Yang Jianli for over 13 months without official arraignment and trial, in violation of Chinese laws as well as international laws. Dr. Yang Jianli has been denied of legal representation. His attorney, hired by his family, has been barred from meeting with him. His wife, brother and other family members have been denied all contact since he was arrested in spite of repeated requests. Now international community could no longer endure it. On June 3, 2003, the U.N. Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, composed of an independent and impartial panel of jurists, issued its report on Dr. Yang Jianli's case and declared that his arrest and detention contravenes the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On June 6th, The U.S. State Department officially called for the Chinese government to release Dr. Yang Jianli. However, the Chinese government has rejected the allegations and insisted it has operated in good faith following both international and Chinese laws. Honorable Senator, we are aware that the House Resolution 199 was introduced in April, which called for Dr. Yang's release. This morning, the House held a roll call vote on H.Res. 199 and passed it unanimously with a vote of 412-0. We are fully aware, too, of your influence, your genuine concern for human rights abuses in China and your support of Chinese political dissidents and their struggle for a democratic China. Now your efforts at this time are very crucial. We hereby respectfully ask that you take the action to become a co-sponsor to the Senate Resolution 184 - S.Res.184. This is a companion bill in support of Dr. Yang Jianli and asking the Chinese government for his immediate release. We trust that our Foundation's appeal will meet with your compassionate consideration and assure you of our cordial thanks.
Sincerely Yours,
The Board -------------------------- |