Prominent Beijing Human Rights Lawyer Kidnapped and Tortured

Prominent Christian human rights lawyer Li Heping was kidnapped in Beijing and tortured on September 29, 2007. Here are details of his ordeal from the Associated Press:

An outspoken Chinese lawyer said Wednesday he was abducted and beaten for hours, and accused of causing unrest by representing clients with complaints of official corruption and police abuse.

Li Heping said he was attacked with fists and electric batons and held for about five hours Saturday night. He said he was forced into an unmarked car by unidentified men after leaving his Beijing office.

Li said he wasn't sure if he would be able to continue working. He returned to his office the day after the attack and found his lawyer's license was missing. A portable hard drive and his computer memory had been wiped clean, he said.

The lawyer's clients have included Chen Guangcheng, a blind activist who helped villagers file a lawsuit accusing local officials of forcing them to undergo abortions or sterilization. Cases this year include that of a Falun Gong practitioner whose family members were detained, and four farmers who were wrongly accused of murder, he said.

Here is an article in Time Magazine about how Mr. Li was previously attacked and beaten by men armed with iron bars last December for defending Chen Guangcheng.

Listen to this audio report about last Saturday's attack on Mr. Li from SOH Radio Network:



Mr. Li's issued a personal statement describing his account of Saturday's attack and his hope for the rule of law to come to China:

I completely disagree with the conduct of brazenly trampling on the human rights and rule of law. Those who beat me threatened me by saying I must not engage in the business of law in Beijing and I must leave Beijing with all my family. I long for the rule of law and the peaceful progress of the society. I told them at the site of beating that I wouldn’t hate them. I wish the light of rule of law will shine on China and all my Chinese compatriots, including those who beat me.

Chinese Aid Association President Bob Fu issued this statement, condemning the attack:

This definitely represents a new low for the environment of human rights and the reality of the rule of law in the city hosting the 2008 Olympics,’ said Bob Fu, “if China can’t tolerate a moderate lawyer like Mr. Li, who should have any confidence in the Chinese leaders’ other international commitments?”

Human Rights in China also condemns the attack on Mr. Li:

“As the international community increases its scrutiny of China in the lead-up to the Olympics, it is appalling that this kind of attack on lawyers continue,” said HRIC Executive Director Sharon Hom. “These attacks raise serious concerns about the will and ability of the Chinese government to protect lawyers’ personal safety and right to practice law, which are essential elements of a system of rule of law.”

Please keep Mr. Li and China in your thoughts and prayers and voice your concern to the Chinese embassy (contact information below). As I previously wrote, I expect China's religious freedom and human rights abuses to get worse prior to the Olympic Games next year. I pray I am wrong.

Communicate your concern to the Chinese authority at the following address:

Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong,

Embassy of the People's Republic of China

2300 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington DC 20008

http://www.china-embassy.org

TEL: 202-7456743

Fax: 202- 588-0032; 202-7457473

Director of Religious Affairs: (202) 328-2512

Read my previous posts on religious freedom in China:

• No Reincarnation Without Government Permission!
• Is China Cracking Down On Religion?
• Chinese Gulags