Contact: Sharon Singh, 202-675-8579, [email protected], @spksingh
(Washington, DC) – Frank Jannuzi, head of Amnesty International's Washington D.C. office, issued the following statement in response to reports that Chen Guangcheng and his family have left China for the United States. Chen has been offered a fellowship at New York University to continue his legal studies:
"Chen's journey to the United States would not have been possible without his own valiant character, the courageous support of his family and friends and the robust voice of the international community that never stopped working on his behalf.
"But while Chen and his immediate family are safe, Amnesty International continues to be concerned about those in China who share his quest for justice, for they remain in serious jeopardy. Countless people, known and unknown, are subject to arbitrary detention, beatings and other forms of repression.
"While Chen starts a new beginning, many continue to languish in despair. The international community needs to show the Chinese people that it is on the side of human rights and basic dignity by continuing to push China to end the intimidation and abuse of its people."
Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 3 million supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied.