February 25, 2010
Attorney Jiang Tianyong and his family are on Christian human rights organization China Aid’s list of the top ten cases of Christian persecution in China in 2009. Because Jiang is a fervent and effective defender of China’s Christians, and because he also defends those who speak out against China’s brutal One Child Policy, he is a special target of harassment and persecution by the Communist regime. And what better way to harass him than to intimidate his family, as well.
Jiang Tianyong understands the risk to be an outspoken advocate for the persecuted in China, and to carry that advocacy across the globe to the United States. Because of his stand, his law license was revoked and his tenure was terminated at the Beijing Global Law Firm in April 2009. But just because he and other Chinese Christians understand and accept the risk of persecution for their faith, does not mean that we who have religious freedom should then abandon them to their fate. We should be relentless in our advocacy for them.
In the fall of 2009, Jiang Tianyong and five other Chinese attorneys spent four weeks in the United States speaking out about the unjust treatment of human rights lawyers in China. On October 29, Jiang testified on the rule of law in China before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (TLHRC) of the U.S. House of Representatives. He was heard by the TLHRC again on November 10 regarding forced abortion and sterilization in China. At the National Press Club Jiang spoke about the treatment of Chinese attorneys Gao Zhisheng and Chen Guangcheng. Jiang and the other attorneys asked members of Congress to urge President Obama to make human rights a priority in his then upcoming China trip.
China Aid reported that some members of Congress, familiar with the tactics of the Chinese government, feared that the lawyers “would become targets upon their return.” The co-chair of the TLHRC, U.S. Representative Frank Wolf (R-VA) warned, “If any of them are arrested or harassed when they get back, I will do everything I can to just create the biggest problem possible for the Obama administration and for the Chinese government.”
Less than a month after Jiang Tianyong’s trip, the harassment began. On November 18, Jiang attempted to arrange a meeting with President Obama before he left China. China Aid reported:
After receiving a phone call from the U.S. Embassy, informing him President Obama would not be able to meet with the group of five human rights lawyers who had gathered, 200 police officers immediately pulled up, and interrogated Jiang and one of his colleagues in the hotel for over an hour. They were informed they “were not allowed to meet President Obama” and would “be held until he left.”
The next morning when Jiang and his wife, Jin Bianling, were leaving to take their seven-year-old daughter to school, they were stopped from leaving their Beijing apartment building by Public Security Bureau officers blocking the gate. Some of the officers grabbed Jiang and threw him into a car. Another knocked Jin Bianling to the ground and beat her in front of her terrified little girl.
The police took Jiang to the Yangfangdian PSB office of Haidian District, Beijing where he was arrested and held for 13 hours. During that time, says China Aid, a dozen human rights lawyers rallied in front of the station, demanding his release. He was released about 9:30 that night. But in the meantime, Jin Bianling revealed that their little girl had been questioned by two officers of the Public Security Bureau for over two hours at school. The police asked her to tell how her father “beat up the police.” The police stationed a guard in front of Jiang’s apartment building, and he also found that his email and internet accounts had been hacked and his passwords changed.
When news of the treatment of Jiang and his family reached the United States, U.S. Representatives Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Joseph Pitts (R-PA) held an emergency press conference. China Aid reported that Smith urged President Obama concerning his partnership with President Hu Jintao, “If you’re going to partner with an egregious human rights abuser, you get tainted. Hopefully… the President will pivot and realize the folly of his current trajectory and speak out… and say ‘Mr. Hu Jintao, cease your persecution of this man!’”
China Aid has provided information for concerned Christians to write to the Chinese Embassy in the United States on Jiang’s behalf. They also advise for anyone visiting Beijing: “Jiang Tianyong welcomes media and friends to come visit him in his community, at No. 30 Bei Fenguo Road, Haidian District, Beijing, on the northeast corner. He requested that visitors do not e-mail him in advance, due to the recent ‘adjustments’ to his accounts.” Notes of encouragement from overseas are also most welcome and help to show the Chinese government that the family is not forgotten.
Prayer Points for the Week of February 25 – March 3:
February 25
Thank God for work of Chinese Christian human rights attorneys who are willing to risk their careers and their well-being to help others and to fight for religious freedom and democracy in China. Particularly thank the Lord for Jiang Tianyong and his defense of other Christian advocates.
February 26
Pray that God would bless Jiang Tianyong and his family. Ask God to provide for all of their financial needs since Jiang’s termination from the law firm and the revoking of his law license. Ask God to change that situation.
February 27
Pray for protection for Jiang, his wife, and their little girl. Pray that the Lord would place a hedge of protection around them, and that they would be able to walk out of their apartment in freedom and in faith. Pray that no authorities would be able physically or emotionally to harm them again. Also pray for open, free communication by email and internet between Jiang and his supporters.
February 28
Pray particularly for Jiang’s wife, Jin Bianling. Pray that Jin would be comforted and have the assurance of feeling the presence of the Lord with her. Ask God to heal the traumatic memories of being beaten.
March 1
Pray for Jiang and Jin’s little daughter, that she also would know the strength and comfort of Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, holding her as one of His lambs. Ask God to bring healing to her memories from the trauma she has suffered, and that the government would not be able to harass her anymore.
March 2
Pray and thank God for concerned members of Congress who are advocates for the persecuted church and human rights in China. Ask God to continue to bless them and use them for His glory and for the deliverance of China from oppression. Pray for an expansion in the authority of those who care so deeply about such issues, and for continued encouragement in the wearying battles they face on Capitol Hill.
March 3
Pray for a change of heart and repentance on the part of the Chinese government. Pray that God would open the eyes that are blind and make tender the hearts of stone.
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