John Kamm Speaks at Stanford Law School

Executive Director John Kamm gave a talk entitled “Two Decades of Human Rights Dialogue with China” at Stanford Law School on February 17. Before approximately 60 event attendees, Kamm spoke about his transition from businessman to human rights activist. He also answered questions about several topics, including bridging the divide between Chinese and Western students on the subject of human rights in China, and elaborated on Dui Hua's advocacy methods.

The program was co-sponsored by two Stanford student groups: the International Law Society, which organizes events on international law, business, and policy, and the China Law and Policy Association (CLPA), which explores legal, political, economic, and social trends in China, highlights issues in US-China relations, and seeks to increase awareness of these issues in the Stanford community. 

Chinese Government Provides Sparse Information on Gao Zhisheng

On February 12, the Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC, informed John Kamm, executive director of The Dui Hua Foundation, that Mr. Gao Zhisheng is working in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, and that he has been in contact with his wife in the US and relatives in China.

Sources close to Gao’s family advise that Mr. Gao’s wife has not yet had contact with her husband. It has thus far not been possible to reach Mr. Gao’s relatives in China.

Additional information on Gao Zhisheng’s current situation is being sought from the Chinese government.

Dialogue Analyzes US-China Tensions, Death Penalty in Asia & Continued Rise in ESS Crimes in China

The lead story in the Winter 2010 issue of Dialogue analyzes growing tension in US-China relations, which began to sour at the climate conference in Copenhagen and only worsened in January. The article is accompanied by a piece on the so-called Tiananmen Sanctions put into US law nearly two decades ago after the events of June Fourth. Although their enforcement has changed over time, the sanctions still have significant impact on US-China partnerships today.

A piece on the death penalty in Asia explores the evolution of capital punishment in the region, and looks at recent developments among China’s neighbors for potential models for  the death penalty's future on the mainland.

The research and prisoner section focuses on the unrelenting increase in recent years in arrests and prosecutions for “endangering state security” (ESS) crimes. The high number of ESS cases in 2008 is due in part to the crackdown in Tibetan areas in March 2008. Following the ethnic unrest in Urumqi last year, numbers are expected to be large again for 2009.

News About Dui Hua describes Executive Director John Kamm’s recent advocacy missions—stretching from October 2009 to January—including his keynote speech at a seminar organized by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The section also notes launch in December of the foundation’s Twitter feed.

Dialogue can be read on our website as DIALOGUE.online. We welcome you to subscribe to our free quarterly newsletter (as an e-newsletter or print copy), become a Dui Hua fan on Facebook, and sign on to follow Dui Hua on Twittter.

John Kamm to Speak at Stanford Law School on February 17

Executive Director John Kamm will give a talk entitled “Two Decades of Human Rights Dialogue with China” at Stanford Law School (map) on Wednesday, February 17, from 12:45 to 2:00 PM. The talk is free and open to the public.

The program is being co-sponsored by two Stanford student groups: the International Law Society, which organizes events on international law, business, and policy, and the China Law and Policy Association (CLPA), which explores legal, political, economic, and social trends in China, highlights issues in US-China relations, and seeks to increase awareness of these issues in the Stanford community.