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Congressional Human Rights Caucus – the post-Lantos era has begun

February 26, 2008 in Beijing Olympics | Tags: Tom Lantos | Leave a comment

As one of the founders of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, the late Congressman Tom Lantos was the guiding light of the Caucus. What would the Caucus be like post-Lantos? While it is too early to have a good overall picture, the first hearing on China’s human rights since Lantos’ passing is scheduled for tomorrow:

The Congressional-Executive Commission on China will hold a hearing entitled “The Impact of the 2008 Olympic Games on Human Rights and the Rule of Law in China” on Wednesday, February 27, 2008, from 2:30 to 4:00 PM in Room B-318 of the Rayburn House Office Building.

All CECC hearings are open to the public and the press. News media representatives should note the final paragraph of this announcement.

China has asserted that hosting the 2008 Olympics will lead to broader progress in the areas of human rights and the rule of law within China, by accelerating domestic reform and fostering positive political, economic, and social change. China’s promises for the Olympics include improving the environment, combating corruption, increasing transparency, giving greater freedom to foreign media, and protecting intellectual property. Progress in any of these areas could benefit China’s citizens now and after the games.

It remains an open question whether the Olympics will in fact bring lasting benefits to Chinese citizens, or have a negative impact on their human rights. Already, Chinese citizens who have tied the Olympics to their peaceful criticism of China’s human rights record have been detained. And China’s security preparations have raised concerns about its impact on political activists, migrant workers, and religious communities, among others.

This hearing will examine the likelihood that the 2008 Olympics will have a lasting impact on human rights and the rule of law in China. It will focus on the commitments and preparations China has undertaken for the Olympics and the openness with which China has allowed the rest of the world and its citizens to monitor them on this account.

Witnesses:

Roger R. Martella, Jr., General Counsel, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Sharon K. Hom, Executive Director, Human Rights in China (HRIC) and Professor of Law Emerita at the City University of New York School of Law.

Bob Dietz, Asia Program Coordinator, Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Sophie Richardson, Asia Advocacy Director, Human Rights Watch (HRW).

Robin Munro, Research Director, China Labour Bulletin.

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For news media representatives: If you have no special equipment needs, you do not need to register in advance. If you need special equipment or services (e.g., malt box, audio feed), please contact Judy Wright at 202-226-3767 not later than close of business on Wednesday, February 20.

Losing a champion of human rights

February 11, 2008 in AIUSA | Tags: BBC News, NPR, Shi Tao, VOA, Wang Xiaoning, Tom Lantos | Leave a comment

I checked the headlines of the BBC News this morning as usual and was shocked to hear Congressman Tom Lantos has passed away. He was the greatest ally in Washington for human rights organizations. AIUSA worked with him on numerous occasions. Whenever I was asked to spread the word about a Dear Colleague letter being circulated in Congress written on behalf of a prisoner of conscience, Lantos was always one of the two representatives who initiated the letter.

Most recently, he scolded Yahoo executives over their negligence of handling the company’s involvement in the imprisonment of journalist Shi Tao in China during a House Committee on Foreign Affairs hearing last November. A few days after the hearing, Yahoo settled a lawsuit with the family members of Shi Tao and imprisoned pro-democracy writer Wang Xiaoning. There is no doubt in my mind that the hearing played a major role in the outcome of the lawsuit.

Although I only learned about Rep. Lantos through the media or emails circulated from AIUSA, my impression of him is a person who gets it when it comes down to human rights. Most of his colleagues would put other priorities in front of human rights but not Lantos. Losing a go-to person like him feels like losing the greatest captain in the worst storm at sea.