April 29, 2012

Hon. Hillary Clinton
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520

Dear Hon. Secretary of State Clinton,

           As you embark on your trip to the Peoples Republic of China, I ask that you review the case of Mr. Chen Guangcheng who has just escaped from his illegal house arrest in his home town amid unconfirmed report that he is now at the U.S. embassy in Beijing.

           In a video made after his escape, Mr. Chen addresses the PRC's Premier Wen Jiaboa directly and makes three requests.

          First, he asks the Premier to investigate his case and punish those who beat him and his family.

           Second, he asks the Premier to ensure the safety of his wife, his mother and his child.  During one of the beatings, his wife's left eye was injured as well as her back when the guards covered her with a duvet while beating her.  His elderly mother was pushed to the ground and she fell back and her head hit the door. His young child is guarded by three people while going to school and the school bag is searched and each page of the books is checked daily by those guards. 

         Third, he asks the Premier to find out how much money is actually spent in illegally harming him and his family and how much of those taxpayers' money have been siphoned off by corrupt officials.

          Please emphasize to the officials in the PRC that China can show to the world that it is a nation that respects its own laws by seriously consider Mr. Chen's requests and thus bring China within the global village. 

          We also like for you to inquire about He Peirong, a blogger and Guo Yushan, a Beijing legal scholar; both have helped Mr. Chan and have now disappeared.  Mr. Chen's brother, Chen Guangfu and his nephew Chen Kegui have also been detained.  Hu Jia, an activist who met with Mr. Chen after his escape has been taken away by authorities.

          You have expressed support for Mr. Chen previously and we deeply appreciate your support.  We have faith that you will do everything in your power to help Mr. Chen.

           Sincerely,
           Ann Lau
           Chair, Visual Artists Guild