AGA Testifies at Congressional Hearing on Friday, May 13
Director of Operations Jing Zhang speaks for AGA workers on the field who are harassed, for women forcibly sterilized, and for others persecuted through China's new crackdown.
AGA Friends,
Thank you for all your support.
We want to share with you a press release that we sent out last week before out Congressional Hearing on May 13th concerning recent problems we've faced in China. Many of our workers are facing harassment and persecution, detained and threatened for the good work they are doing for familie in China. We were thankful for a chnace to discuss this in Congress last week.
Please see the release below for a summary of Jing Zhang's speech, that Brian Lee translated and read at the hearing. Friends,
Thank you for all your support.
Congressional Hearing, Fri. May 13, 2011: China's Crackdown on Women and Children's Organizations
All Girls Allowed testifies about hindrance to rural aid programs and women beaten, detained
WASHINGTON DC - Field workers from All Girls Allowed (AGA), a humanitarian organization working to restore value and dignity to girls and mothers in China, are being detained and pressured by the Communist Government, hindering aid to needy families.
Details about the recent crackdown on women and children's organizations will be given in a report by AGA Director of Operations Jing Zhang, at a Committee on Foreign Affairs Hearing, Friday, May 13, at 10 a.m. in the Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2172, or via LIVE webcast: www.hcfa.house.gov.
Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Human Rights will host the hearing about "China's Latest Crackdown on Dissent" with representatives from several leading human rights organizations. The purpose is to look at what is occurring in China and why, and what steps can be taken by the U.S Government in response.
Executive Director Brian Lee will also represent AGA by translating Jing's oral testimony. Jing once served a prison term for her role in the democracy movement, and since arriving in the U.S., has continued to contribute by advocating for women's rights in China. She will be available for questions following the reading of her oral testimony.
The crackdown by officials has continued since Feb. 2011, inspired by the wave of democratic movements in the Arab World. The Chinese Communist Government reacted in panic and severe crackdown, in blatant violation of the Chinese Constitution and the U.N. Charter.
"We're working to end the gendercide of baby girls," says Chai Ling, founder of All Girls Allowed and two-time Nobel Peace Prize Nominee. "Restoring a normal gender ration is absolutely essential to the success of China economically, socially and culturally- but the Government has not made this a priority. We ask that leaders will at the very lease support out own efforts to bring life, calue and dignity to daughters."
