Category: Totalitarianism

Communist China: Human Rights Activist / Lawyer Xu Zhiyong in Prison

— Asia News reports: “Well-known lawyer and activist Xu Zhiyong in prison for ‘tax evasion'”
— “Xu is said to have failed to pay taxes owed by Gongmeng, a human rights organisation. In reality, experts suggest the authorities are demanding the payment of business taxes to silence dissent ahead of the celebrations to mark the 60 years of the People’s Republic of China.”
— “After spending three weeks in prison Xu Zhiyong, a well-known Chinese human rights lawyer, was formally charged with tax evasion. This confirms what many experts fear, namely that the government is cracking down on human rights activists ahead of 1 October, the day of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, in order to prevent protests and dissent.”

DC: “Captive Nations 50th Anniversary Commemorated in Washington, DC”

DC: “Captive Nations 50th Anniversary Commemorated in Washington, DC”
— “Washington, DC (UNIS) – The yearly commemoration of Captive Nations Week began 50 years ago in 1959 with the passage of PL 86-90 which stated:  ‘Whereas the enslavement of a substantial part of the world’s population by Communist imperialism makes a mockery of the idea of peaceful coexistence between nations and constitutes a detriment to the natural bonds of understanding between the people of the United States and other peoples.’  Such phrases, documented yearly by each President in his Executive Proclamations, instilled hope for the nations enslaved by this tyrannical form of government.
— “To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the original 1959 congressional resolution, the National Captive Nations Committee (NCNC) sponsored a daylong event dedicated to those countries that have freed themselves from communism, as well as to those still suffering the perils of dictatorship.  On Wednesday, July 22, 2009, several dozen representatives of various ethnic communities and friends of freedom gathered at the Victims of Communism Memorial at the corner of New Jersey and Massachusetts Avenues, NW to pay tribute to those innocent victims of communism.”
— “The day’s events began with brief remarks from NCNC Director of Public Relations and Chairman of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation (VOCMF), Dr. Lee Edwards, who characterized the fight against communism as an endless war.   Rev. Robert Hitchens, Rector of St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Seminary and Administrator of the Ukrainian Catholic National Shrine of the Holy Family delivered a very inspiring invocation:  ‘Hear us this day as we gather to commemorate 50 years of bearing witness to our sisters and brothers through out the world who suffer and endure tyranny and subjugation at the hands of totalitarian governments that seek to extinguish the living fire of human freedom and self-determination and to kill the human spirit.’  Various ethnic communities and their representatives placed wreaths or flowers at the base of the Memorial to remember those who have suffered under Communist oppression.  Michael Sawkiw, Jr., Director of the Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS) and also NCNC Executive Secretary, read President Barack Obama’s 2009 Captive Nations Week proclamation (proclamation enclosed).  A moment of silence was offered for all who have fought against communism and continue to struggle against it.”

U.S. Congressman Pays Tribute to Chinese Martyr Watchman Nee

U.S. Congressman Pays Tribute to Chinese Martyr Watchman Nee
— China Aid reports:
— “On July 30, Congressman Christopher Smith (NJ-04) spoke from the House of Representatives’ floor to pay tribute to Chinese Christian martyr Watchman Nee. Congressman Smith wanted to recognize Nee, who is known around the world for his Christian witness and influence, and whose books are still banned in China today.”