Congressmen Ask Powell to Intercede on Behalf of U.S.-based Chinese Human Rights Activist Missing in China

Lincoln Diaz-Balart


2/27/2003

News Release

LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART

U.S. CONGRESSMAN - DISTRICT 21, FLORIDA

2244 Rayburn House Office Building -- Washington, D.C. 20515 (202) 225-4211

8525 N.W. 53rd Terrace, Suite 102 -- Miami, FL 33166 (305) 470-8555

Contacts/Contactos: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Office: (786) 845-0714 PARA PUBLICACIN INMEDIATA
Yanik Fenton-Espinosa: (305) 905-3714  
Angelica Alfonso: (202)225-4211 February 27, 2003

CONGRESSMEN ASK POWELL TO INTERCEDE ON BEHALF OF U.S.-BASED CHINESE HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST MISSING IN CHINA

Washington, DC - Following please find the text of a letter sent today by Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL) along with his colleagues Dan Burton (R-IN), Ileana Ro-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA0 and Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), to the Secretary of State of the United States, Colin Powell, requesting that he intercede on behalf of Jian-li Yang, a permanent resident of the United States and respected academic and human rights activist, who has been missing in China since last Spring.

"Dear Secretary Powell:

We write you today regarding an issue of grave concern and ask for your immediate assistance.

Jian-li Yang, a permanent resident of the United States, has been missing in China since last spring. Jian-li Yang is a respected academic and human rights activist with Ph.D.'s from Berkeley and Harvard. He was reportedly investigating the labor situation in Northeast China, at great risk to himself, when he was arrested by Chinese authorities. Jian-li Yang has since vanished. It is our understanding that his family has been unable to even locate Jian-li Yang since his arrest.

We must make certain to let the Chinese regime know, in no uncertain terms, that the physical integrity of Jian-li Yang is a matter of the utmost importance to the United States.

We respectfully request that you intercede on behalf of Jian-li Yang and utilize your good offices to ensure that he is safely reunited with his family. Thank you for your attention to this critical situation."

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Angelica M. Alfonso

Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart, FL-21

(202) 225-4211 (202) 225-8576

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Source: "yangjianli.com".