Gao's Story

Christian human rights attorney Gao Zhisheng was seized by a dozen police officers from his apartment on February 4, 2009. He disappeared for more than a year at the hands of the Chinese Government, leading to grave speculation about his whereabouts and condition.

Gao Zhisheng has been repeatedly kidnapped, arrested, imprisoned and tortured by Chinese authorities for defending the persecuted. He has been an unyielding and iconic advocate for justice in the Chinese courts and has been nominated twice for the Nobel Peace Prize (2008 and 2010).

In December 2009, rumors of Gao's death from torture in prison spread uncertainty. One misleading informer in January 2010, said Gao Zhisheng had gotten "lost and went missing while out on a walk" in September, 2009. The following week, the Chinese Foreign Ministry publicly acknowledged that Gao Zhisheng was in still their custody. The false reports of his death and disappearance devastated Gao's wife and children.

On March 27, 2010, Gao Zhisheng suddenly resurfaced, after being hidden for more than one year. He spoke with his family for the first time since his abduction and connected with friends, colleagues, and even international media. His every movement was watched and monitored by the Chinese government.

On April 15 and 16, Gao visited his in-laws in Xinjiang, telling them he would be flying home to Beijing at 10 AM on April 20. Gao Zhisheng never arrived home to his apartment, and has not been seen or heard from since. See media reports on Gao Zhisheng’s forced "Re-Disappearance."

Gao's life will be in danger as long as he is in the custody of the Chinese government. During this complex and difficult time, efforts are already in progress to push for Gao's release from China and for a safe reunion with his family in the United States.

Sign the Petition and let the Chinese Government know that Gao Zhisheng is not forgotten. Show them that the world will not allow this defender of truth and justice to fade from our hearts and minds. We will not rest until Gao is safely reunited with his family.

• U.S. Department of State's Response to Attorney David Taylor's Inquiry about Gao Zhisheng, 1/25/2010.
• CAA Press Release: Police Officer Says Gao Zhisheng Went Missing, 1/14/2010.
• Latest Media Reports on Gao Zhisheng.
• Read Gao Zhisheng's letter to the U.S. Congress in 2007.
• Read Gao's account of 50 days of torture in 2007.
• Attorney Jiang Tianyong's Public Testimony on Defending Gao Zhisheng.
• Read the Congressional Letter to President Hu Jintao, 9/8/2009.
• Read Senator Dorgan's speech from the Senate floor.

ChinaAid thanks the 126,200 people who signed the Petition to Free Gao, the thousands of supporters who sent 469,500 e-mail inquiries to Chinese businesses and government offices, the more than 11,200 individuals who contacted their U.S. Representatives, and the countless others who faxed and called the Chinese Embassy for Gao's release last year in 2009.

ChinaAid remains committed to raise awareness of Gao’s case until he is free. Efforts are already in progress to push for Gao's release from China and for a safe reunion with his family in the United States. Urge others to add their voice to the petition, and join in the effort to Free Gao Zhisheng.

February 4, 2010, marked the one-year anniversary of Gao Zhisheng’s disappearance. Take action now, to help free this human rights defender.

Dramatic Re-enactment of Gao Zhisheng's Testimony.

"Take it away!" Attorney David Taylor delivers the second installment of the petition to the Chinese Embassy on July 10, 2009. The petition included over 100,000 signatures. The same day, ChinaAid President Bob Fu presented the petition to the CECC and the US Department of State

David Taylor delivers 100,000 Free Gao petition signatures to the Chinese Embassy in
Washington, D.C.  Read more.

ChinaAid President Bob Fu with 100,000 signatures at the CECC on July 10, 2009.  Read more.

STEPS TO ACTION

• 1. Sign the petition

  Add your voice, and encourage your friends to sign the petition, to make the Chinese government aware that the world is watching this situation and to call them to account for their inhumane treatment of Gao Zhisheng. ChinaAid will continue to gather names and submit them to the Chinese authorities until Attorney Gao is free. So far, people have signed the petition. (updates every 15 mins.)
  Sign the petition now.

  Click here to forward to your family and friends.

• 2. Send a message to leaders.

  For U.S. Residents: Send a message to your U.S. Representative

  Your representative was elected to protect and enable the will of the people - that means you! Send a message to your U.S. Representative requesting their support to call for Gao Zhisheng's release. Encourage the leaders and members of your community to participate, and together we will send a resounding message to the Chinese government that the United States has not forgotten the power of freedom and human rights. So far, people have sent messages to their local U.S. Representative. (updates every 15 mins.) Click here to commit to contacting your U.S. Representative.

  Click here to forward to your family and friends.

  For U.S. & International Citizens: Contact U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

  Last year, 18,516 people sent over 469,500 e-mails to Chinese businesses and local governing officials inquiring about Gao Zhisheng. Now it's time to raise your concerns to the next level. Call on the United Nations to uphold its commitment to human rights, and encourage U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to personally and publicly urge the Chinese government to make Gao's whereabouts and condition known. So far, people have sent messages to the Office of U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. (updates every 15 mins.) Click here to contact U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

  Click here to forward to your family and friends.

• 3. Donate to serve the persecuted
      in China.

  There is a current need to provide help for the persecuted in China. Your support enables ChinaAid to provide well-timed legal advocacy for Christian prisoners, as well as basic needs for their families. Most of all, your gift is a sign of encouragement to the persecuted church in China that they do not walk alone. Donate Now.

For more ways to take action . . .

• Call The Chinese Embassy
• Send E-mails

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To the Attention of: Chinese Ambassador Mr. Zhang Yesui

Dear Sir:

We are aware that Chinese authorities have detained Christian attorney Gao Zhisheng since February 4, 2009. He was at the home of relatives in his hometown in Shaanxi province when more than a dozen Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers forcibly took him away. He is being held at an undisclosed location.

Gao Zhisheng is a 2008 Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Chinese army veteran and prominent Christian attorney. He cares deeply for the nation of China, and is a loyal citizen. Since 2005, Gao has been repeatedly kidnapped, arrested, imprisoned and tortured by Chinese authorities for his work defending those persecuted for their faith. He, his wife and two children have been monitored and tormented by authorities for more than two years.

We, the undersigned, are deeply concerned about Gao Zhisheng's welfare and why he is being detained. This act of arbitrary detention itself is in violation of Chinese law.

We are praying for the leaders of China and formally request that you release Gao Zhisheng immediately. Thank you for your kind attention to this matter.