China: New video - Lu Siwei's wife calls for his release

Lao immigration police apprehended Chinese human rights lawyer Lu Siwei on July 28th as he made his way to the United States to reunite with his family, even though he obtained a visa for Laos and the USA.

On August 3, activists delivered a joint statement from 75 NGOs to the Laos Embassy in Washington DC. The next day, the Embassy of the Laos PDR in London confirmed the arrest of Lu for supposed “travel violations”.

ChinaAid remains committed to seeing Lawyer Lu reunite with his wife and 14-year old daughter in Los Angeles. Your prayers and partnership are empowering our team members to work closely with international and local partners to lead efforts to support Lawyer Lu. 

Watch a new video from Lawyer Lu's wife Zhang Chunxiao responding to the Laotian government's official arrest confirmation. 

"Hello, everyone, this is Zhang Chunxiao. For the last two weeks, the operation to rescue Lu Siwei has not stopped for a moment. I would like to thank the United Nations, the United States, and various governments, civic organizations, and individuals for their active efforts for Siwei’s freedom and the reunion of his family. I would also like to thank the Laotian diplomat for publicly accounting to the world for Siwei’s whereabouts and his condition, to which I would like to make the following points in response...In conclusion, I call on the Lao government to abide by its own laws and international law and to release Lu Siwei, and I call on governments and international organizations as well as people of justice and conscience to continue to help and work for Siwei’s freedom. Thank you all again! May God continue to bless all of you."

Commenting on the situation, ChinaAid President Bob Fu explains 

“We have verified from the very beginning that human rights lawyer Lu Siwei holds valid Chinese passports with valid visas issued both by the Lao and USA governments,” Fu said. “He was punished by the CCP government with an unjustifiable exit ban, simply for his legal defense work representing persecuted Hongkongers. We urge the Lao government to release Lu Siwei based on humanitarianism, Laos’ own laws, as well as its legal obligation to the international community so that Lu Siwei can reunite with his wife and 14-year-old daughter in the United States. In order to protect the global legal community, ChinaAid strongly opposes the repatriation of Lu Siwei back to China. Should he be sent back, he will be subject to torture and inhumane imprisonment."

Please continue to pray for Lawyer Lu, his family, and all partners involved with support and legal representation while he remains detained. Your immediate gifts to ChinaAid equip our team members in Asia to work closely with local legal support and diplomatic officials during this perilous time for Lawyer Lu.