LOS ANGELES─Hundreds of human rights supporters gathered on August 2 at the Hilton Hotel in San Gabriel, east of downtown Los Angeles, to honor six recipients of the 2008 Asia Pacific Human Rights Foundation (APHRF) Awards, including the Dalai Lama and congressman Dana Rohrabacher.
With focus on the Asia Pacific region and the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, the talk of the night was China. The mood of the ceremony was a mixture of celebration for the recognition of human rights, along with a general dissatisfaction for those who commit human rights crimes. Speakers from the Chinese Democracy Party, Falun Gong practitioners, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and well known pro-democracy authors, all shared their views on the restriction and outright disregard of human rights in China.
Representatives of the Dalai Lama
His Holiness the Dalai Lama was unable to attend as he has returned to exile in India, but his representatives Pema C. Khangtetsang and Tenzing Chonden, members of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, were present to receive the award on his behalf. “The Dalai Lama is not just a human rights fighter for Tibet, but he is also a human rights fighter for the world,” stated Pema. He continued, “Today I see this award as more important than most the Dalai Lama has received because it’s presented by Chinese Democracy activists and human rights leaders together.”
Tenzing Chonden took the opportunity to read a speech from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, written on March 28, 2008 in response to the most recent violence in Tibet by the Chinese regime against Tibetan monks and the Tibetan people.
“I have, from the start, supported Beijing’s being awarded the opportunity to host the Games… But China also needs to earn the respect and esteem of the global community through the establishment of an open and harmonious society based on the principles of transparency, freedom, and the rule of law.” In regard to the economy of Tibet, His Holiness stated “… it would greatly benefit Tibet if it remained within the PRC [People’s Republic of China].”
According to his representatives, though His Holiness has never called for separation from the PRC, they still view him in such a manner. In response he said, “It is unfortunate that despite my sincere efforts not to separate Tibet from China, the leaders of the PRC continue to accuse me of being a ’separatist'.” He concluded with, “Chinese brothers and sisters – wherever you may be – with deep concern I appeal to you to help dispel the misunderstandings between our two communities. With my prayers, the Dalai Lama.”
Wei Jingsheng
A well known activist in the Chinese democracy movement and author of the document Fifth Modernization (written on the “Democracy Wall” in Beijing in 1978), Wei Jingsheng, received his award amidst a flurry of flash bulbs. Wei was one of six who spoke with President George W. Bush on July 29th, 2008 about human rights in China. At the awards ceremony, Wei said, “This is an award by the Chinese people to encourage ourselves. In the past 100 years there has been a lot of confidence in the Chinese people, but the CCP [Chinese communist party] makes people feel like second class citizens.” He continued, “I feel that, we Chinese people are not worse than anybody in other countries. We need the confidence to build a new country – a country that fights for human rights. We need to improve more than the economy. We need to improve our moral values.”
Chen Yizi
Chen Yizi, the former research institute manager of the Chinese State Council and Zhao Ziyang’s brain trust before the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, was also in attendance. He was a high ranking CCP official who was exiled from China after the incident for his suggestions of reform in the government. He shared his belief that nations that do not make a declaration for human rights will eventually fall into disadvantage, while those who do declare human rights as a priority, and a fixed standard, always benefit. He said that when a nation does not care about human rights and becomes corrupt, they will fall. In closing, “Even today, in 2008, the basic human rights of Chinese people are not protected.”
Judy Chen
Falun Gong practitioner, Judy Chen, received an award for her tireless work in support of the Quit the CCP Movement, a global campaign to help Chinese citizens withdraw from the Chinese Communist Party. Judy was recently the victim of a communist mob in Flushing, New York, that beat her and damaged the Quit the CCP booth. “As an American I spoke out to prevent the CCP from spreading their hate into America.” She continued, “When I heard about this award, I couldn’t hold back my tears.”
Zheng Kexu
Zheng Kexu, from the Chinese Freedom Democratic Party, gave an impassioned speech about the ways in which Chinese people have lost their rights and land in Communist China. According to Zheng, history has proven that communist regimes are destined to fail, and that is because they do not value human rights. He wished the ceremony success and stated that he can see clearly now that people from all nations “…Work together for human rights across the world.”
Congressman Dana Rohrabacher Recognized
Wu Fan, president of the China Interim Government, presented an award to United States Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, who was unable to attend the event. Mr. Wu said the congressman has helped Chinese people with his persistent efforts to expose crimes by communist regimes and spread human rights across the world. “He’s been re-elected nine times, which shows how Americans recognize his work.”
Mo Fengjie
Mo Fengjie, a democracy activist and writer, published a book of stories depicting the persecution of mainland Chinese by their own government. He said with conviction, “We have the same goal as the Asia-Pacific Human Rights Foundation.” Describing how communism came from Russia to China in the 1920’s and how the CCP eventually took control of China in 1949 and misled the Chinese people, he said, “If you follow a demon with the face of an angel, eventually you’ll be led to hell.”
At the closing ceremony the Tibetans gave white scarves to all the award winners, a peaceful sign of respect and well wishes.
The Asia Pacific Human Rights Foundation (APHRF) is headquartered in Los Angeles. There are chapters in Hong Kong, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and several countries in Europe.
