Amnesty International 2006 Holiday Card Campaign

Holiday Card Action 2006 Each year during the winter holidays, Amnesty International asks friends and members to send messages of support to prisoners and human rights defenders around the world. Holidays can mean little to those who fear they've been forgotten by the world. A simple greeting card, however, can bring renewed hope. The prisoners and human rights defenders featured here need your support. Please let them know they are not forgotten. Please visit this link: http://www.amnestyusa.org/action/holiday/index.html One person featured is Chen Guangcheng. His story- In 2005, human rights activist Chen Guangcheng heard reports that local authorities in Linyi City in Shandong Province had allegedly forced thousands of women to undergo abortions and sterilizations in an illegal effort to compel them to adhere to China’s restrictive population control policies. Mr. Chen helped villagers launch a lawsuit against the Linyi authorities. Authorities retaliated by subjecting Mr. Chen to arbitrary detention, beatings and intimidation. In 2006, they charged Chen Guangcheng, who is blind, with “damaging public property and gathering people to block traffic,” and detained him incommunicado. In August 2006, he was convicted following a trial that lasted less than two hours. Mr. Chen’s lawyers were obstructed at every stage – from collecting evidence to representing him in court. During the trial, police reportedly closed off a 1,000-foot area around the court, preventing supporters from approaching. Three of Chen’s brothers were allowed inside, but police prevented his wife from leaving her home. Even his lawyers were denied access. The court sentenced him to four years and three months in prison. AI considers Chen Guangcheng to be a prisoner of conscience whom authorities have jailed in a politically motivated attempt to prevent him from pursuing his legitimate activities as a human rights defender. Cards of support will help demonstrate to Mr. Chen (and his jailers) the solidarity of caring people from around the world. Please send cards of support to: Chen Guangcheng Yinan County Detention Center Linyi City Shandong Province 276300 PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA