Christian organisations have raised questions over the death of prominent Chinese Christian lawyer Li Baiguang who died in a military hospital in China on Monday, calling on the Chinese Government to give a “full account” of the reasons for his death.
Dr Li, who was a vocal defender of Christians and farmers in China, is said to have died within hours of attending hospital in Nanjing with what has been described as a minor stomach complaint. While the hospital has been quoted as saying he died as a result of a liver problem, friends and colleagues have reportedly said that Dr Li was in good health and had never mentioned a liver problem.
UK-based religious freedom advocacy Christian Solidarity Worldwide said that Dr Li – who in 2008 was recognised with an award from the US-based National Endowment for Democracy for his efforts to advance human rights and religious freedom in China – has been “repeatedly harassed and threatened by the Chinese authorities in connection with his defence of human rights”.
Its CEO, Mervyn Thomas, described Dr Li as a “courageous defender” of human rights including the right to religious freedom.
“His death is a tragedy, the latest in a serious of highly suspicious deaths of human rights defenders and dissidents,” he said in a statement. “Each and every case is a shocking and tragic reminder of the price of speaking out for justice, democracy and universal human rights in China. We urgently call on the Chinese authorities to launch an immediate and impartial investigation into the death of Li Baiguang, to ensure that his family are not harassed or restricted in any way, and to cease all forms of violence and intimidation against human rights defenders in China.”
Paul Robinson, CEO of Release International – another UK based organisation, echoed calls for Chinese authorities to give a “full, independent and transparent account of the reasons for his sudden and unexpected death”.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of this courageous, bold and compassionate Christian lawyer…” he said. “Today China has lost another brave Christian lawyer in Li Baiguang, and the world must call on China to account for this courageous man’s untimely death.”
In a statement, Release International said Dr Li had felt “threatened” after attending the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC, recently and added that while was out of the country, Chinese authorities had “interrogated” his pastor. The organisation, which supports persecuted Christians around the world, alleged that last October Dr Li was abducted by Chinese officials in Zhejiang province and was beaten for defending farmers whose land was seized by the government.
Bob Fu, US-based president of ChinaAid – a partner organisation of Release, described his friend as a “bold and compassionate human rights lawyer, always ready in defence of the persecuted and vulnerable”.
“The whole world should demand that the Chinese government give a full, independent, and transparent account on what caused Dr Li’s sudden death,” he said in a statement, urging the international community to “speak out” about his death.
Dr Li is survived by his wife, Xu Hanmei, and their eight-year-old son.
