Video of blind activist surfaces in China
BEIJING — A blind Chinese activist under house arrest since his release from prison in September has appeared in a video accusing the authorities of using "hooligan methods" to silence rights campaigners.Chen Guangcheng, who gained worldwide fame for exposing abuses in China's "one-child" population policy, has not been heard from since he was freed five months ago after serving a four-year sentence.
He was jailed in 2006 after accusing family planning officials in the eastern province of Shandong of forcing women to have late-term abortions or be sterilised.
The hour-long video, obtained Wednesday by the US-based rights group China Aid from a person it said was a "reliable government source who is sympathetic to Chen?s cause", contains Chen's first public comments since his release.
"The conservative forces of the Communist Party have reached their worst point in openly ignoring the constitution and laws to crack down on villagers and activities aimed at defending rights," Chen said.
"They are using hooligan methods to provoke and make trouble (for us) -- they say we will beat you and beat you and the judicial departments will ignore it," added Chen, who was wearing dark glasses and a black jacket in the video.Read More
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