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| Jin Bianling (left) with her husband, Jiang Tianyong, who is currently detained at an unknown location. (Photo: China Aid) |
China Aid
(Washington, D.C.—Jan. 31, 2017) Today, the wife of an imprisoned human rights defender thanked China Aid for awarding her husband the Courage Award for Defense of Religious Freedom in China in a statement written for China Aid’s 15th anniversary forum.
Jin Bianling, the wife of kidnapped rights protector Jiang Tianyong, detailed her constant worry for her husband and his fellow lawyers, who were detained during a nationwide crackdown in China on human rights lawyers, and expressed her gratitude that Jiang’s sacrifice was being honored. Currently, Jiang is being held at an unknown location, and Jin said her family has partnered with lawyers, other Chinese citizens, and the international community in an attempt to discover his whereabouts.
Despite her hardships, she writes:
Hope in Christ is far beyond our experience. It is not about regaining what we lost, going back to the time before the 709 case, or rescuing prisoners of conscience, but giving us the ability to make an underlying change. Human rights lawyers and Chinese citizens will continue to fight for human rights and justice, but, as Christians, we should make deeper reflections. We need to know the fact that God will always be with us, even during human rights disasters.
Jin’s statement was presented at China Aid’s 15th anniversary forum, where seven human rights lawyers nominated by China Aid’s board of directors, including Jiang, were honored with the 2016 Courage Award for Defense of Religious Freedom in China. Other recipients include lawyers Zhang Kai, Gao Zhisheng, Li Heping, Li Baiguang, Li Chunfu, and Tang Jingling.
A full translation of Jin’s statement can be read below.
China Aid exposes abuses, such as those experienced by Jiang Tianyong and his family, in order to stand in solidarity with persecuted Christians and promote religious freedom, human rights, and rule of law.
Dear president Bob Fu, respectable members of China Aid’s board, honorable members of Congress, distinguished guests, and brothers and sisters in Christ,
Peace be with you!
Thank you, China Aid, for granting the Courage Award to my husband, lawyer Jiang Tianyong, again! Jiang Tianyong was kidnapped on November 21st, 2016, by the government. My family, fellow lawyers, Chinese citizens, and the international community have been searching for him diligently, but no one knows where he is imprisoned yet. He is one of the 709 case victims, and I am “family of the 709 case victims.” Since I heard about the persecution of lawyers Xie Yang, Li Chunfu, and the other 709 case victims, I worried more about my husband. I often wake up in a nightmare.
In the past two years, the human rights and rule of law situation deteriorated quickly in China. Chinese people always ask, “Where is my hope?” I want to take this opportunity to share my vision with you: “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them” (Isaiah 11:6).
Hope in Christ is far beyond our experience. It is not about regaining what we lost, going back to the time before the 709 case, or rescuing prisoners of conscience, but giving us the ability to make an underlying change. Human rights lawyers and Chinese citizens will continue to fight for human rights and justice, but, as Christians, we should make deeper reflections. We need to know the fact that God will always be with us, even during human rights disasters.
Human rights are granted by God. I pray that God will protect human rights in China, and my husband, Jiang Tianyong, will be released soon. My daughter and I will continue to bear the cross together with him in order to walk with God.
Thanks again!
Jin Bianling
January 31st, 2017
ChinaAid Media Team
Cell: (432) 553-1080 | Office: 1+ (888) 889-7757 | Other: (432) 689-6985
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