[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 62 (Tuesday, May 13, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4382-S4383]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             WEI JINGSHENG

  Mr. HUTCHINSON. Mr. President, most of the time when I stand on this 
floor following Senator Wellstone, I will be on the opposite side of 
Senator Wellstone's comments. This evening, I would like to associate 
myself with the comments that Senator Wellstone made. I think between 
the two of us, we pretty well cover the political spectrum as we stand 
today on the floor of the United States Senate and call for the 
immediate release of Wei Jingsheng, China's most prominent political 
prisoner.
  Because of his courageous stand as a voice for democracy and human 
rights, Wei Jingsheng was sentenced in 1979 to 15 years in prison. He 
served 14\1/2\ years of his term and was released in September 1993 as 
part of China's bid to host the Olympic Games in the year 2000. Wei 
continued to speak out for human rights and was detained, again, by the 
Chinese Government less than 6 months after his release.
  Wei Jingsheng was first jailed in 1979 because of his peaceful 
activities and writings during China's democracy wall movement, notably 
his famous essay, ``The Fifth Modernization--Democracy.'' Following his 
release from prison in September 1993, he met with journalists and 
diplomats, wrote articles for publications abroad and continued to 
assert the rights and aspirations of the Chinese people.
  Mr. President, on December 13, 1995, Wei Jingsheng was tried and 
convicted of the totally unfounded charge of conspiring to subvert the 
Chinese Government. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison and 3 years 
deprivation of his political rights.
  Human rights organizations and governments around the world have 
condemned the trial and severe sentence. We, the Congress, have 
unanimously adopted resolutions calling for Wei's immediate and 
unconditional release. The European Parliament has also called for his 
release, declaring that Wei had been ``persecuted because he was 
demanding democratic rights for Chinese people.''
  Mr. President, it is my understanding that Wei's family has appealed 
to the United Nations for help, increasingly concerned about his 
failing health, which has further deteriorated. Though he is no longer 
in solitary confinement, Wei is under constant surveillance from other 
inmates while cell lights are on 24 hours a day, visits by his family 
are restricted, and he has no access to outside medical care.
  Wei Jingsheng remains a symbol of hope in China for those within 
China who are voiceless. They have steadfastly refused to give up their 
beliefs, their principles and their commitment to democratic reforms, 
despite the suffering and punishment that they have endured.
  I believe that by honoring Wei for his courageous commitment to human 
rights and fundamental freedoms, we will draw attention to the ongoing 
struggle for fundamental human rights in the People's Republic of China 
at a crucial time in that nation's history. Calling for the immediate 
release of Wei sends a strong message to China on behalf of the entire 
international community.
  On Friday of last week, I joined a bipartisan and bicameral effort in 
honoring Dr. Nguyen Dan Que, along with Mr. Harry Wu, at the third 
anniversary of the Vietnam Human Rights Day. As I speak today, Dr. Que 
still remains in prison unable to leave Vietnam to seek medical 
attention and unable to speak freely about the abuses he has suffered 
at the hands of the Vietnamese Government. Of course, Mr. Wu, who 
fought for representative government and human rights in China for many 
years, was persecuted and held as a prisoner of conscience by China's 
Communist dictatorship. He was eventually allowed to emigrate to the 
United States where he has, thankfully, continued his efforts to help 
the Chinese people gain liberty and human dignity.
  On August 25, 1995, Mr. Wu was expelled from China and returned 
safely to San Francisco. While this case was notable because Mr. Wu is 
a naturalized American citizen, the Chinese Government holds many 
thousands of prisoners who, like Mr. Wu and Wei Jingsheng, are guilty 
of nothing more than speaking out in defense of human liberty.

  While the cases of Mr. Wu, Wei Jingsheng and Dr. Nguyen Dan Que

[[Page S4383]]

may differ, they are all representative of human rights abuses around 
the world, and especially by the Chinese Government.
  For too many years, Mr. President, these courageous individuals have 
been deprived of the opportunity to exercise the right to self-
determination concerning fundamental human and political aspirations. I 
say again, for too many years, they have been denied those rights.
  Furthermore, it has been almost 3 years since the United States 
formally delinked American trade with China from its human rights 
performance of abuse. I say to my colleagues that much has changed in 
China, but it has not changed for the better. We now see a human rights 
situation that is worse by every measure: persecution of Christians, 
forced abortions, sterilization of the mentally handicapped and 
kangaroo courts for democratic dissenters.
  Mr. President, I am deeply concerned with the mounting campaign of 
religious persecutions waged by the rulers of China. The Roman Catholic 
Church has effectively been made illegal in China. Priests, bishops, 
and people of faith have been imprisoned and harassed.
  China's recent moves have menaced Hong Kong, in violation of their 
agreements with Britain and their assurances to the United States. 
Forty percent of education and social services in that colony are 
currently run by church-related agencies. China's action in suspending 
the Hong Kong Bill of Rights threatens the freedom of speech, the 
freedom of assembly and the freedom of religion.
  I believe that these arguments will come to a boil again in coming 
weeks, when this Congress votes once more on most-favored-nation status 
for China. It is the obligation of the American Government to uphold 
the principles of democracy and freedom for all peoples. We must not 
turn a blind eye to the oppressed in the interest of expanded trade 
opportunities. The idea that expanded trade would somehow result in 
improved human rights conditions in China has been disproved. It simply 
has not happened.
  Today's statements calling for the immediate release of Wei Jingsheng 
heeds hope for those who are victims of oppression. I look forward to 
the day when all peoples enjoy the countless freedoms that we have in 
the United States. I salute the efforts of Wei Jingsheng, Mr. Harry Wu, 
Dr. Nguyen Dan Que, and I urge my colleagues to stand up and voice 
their opposition to the treatment of these political dissenters and 
these defenders of liberty and, furthermore, we should stand against 
all human rights abuses around the world.
  Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor.
  Mr. SANTORUM addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Pennsylvania.
  Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I be able 
to speak as in morning business for as long as necessary.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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