Skip to main content

Co-Chairs Commend Release of Professor and Opposition Activist Guo Quan in China

November 16, 2018

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressmen Randy Hultgren (R-IL) and Jim McGovern (D-MA), Co-Chairs of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, commend the release of Guo Quan in China. Guo was listed as a prisoner of conscience under the Commission's Defending Freedoms Project.

Guo, a former associate professor at Nanjing Normal University and founder of the opposition New People's Party of China, played a leading role in a 2008 campaign to protect the rights of demobilized military officers. He also published criticism about the government's response to the 2008 Sichuan earthquake and exposed human rights violations committed by the Chinese Communist Party. On November 13, 2008, authorities raided Guo's home and detained him on suspicion of "inciting subversion of state power." He was convicted and sentenced to ten years in prison on October 16, 2009.

The Co-Chairs are inspired by Guo Quan's tireless advocacy on behalf of universal human rights in a climate of harsh government repression. Even as they welcome Guo's release, they strongly urge the Chinese government to release the other 1,424 prisoners of conscience in China deprived of their freedom for exercising their fundamental human rights.

The Co-Chairs would also like to recognize Congressman Ted Poe for his unwavering commitment and advocacy on behalf of Guo Quan through the Defending Freedoms Project. Rep. Poe has fought on behalf of several prisoners of conscience through the Project and currently advocates for Nguyen Van Minh of Vietnam. His efforts on behalf of Guo did not go unnoticed, and his example is one that Members of Congress can follow by choosing to advocate for a prisoner of conscience.

The bipartisan Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission was established by unanimous consent in the United States House of Representatives in 2008 to promote, defend and advocate for international human rights. The Commission undertakes public education activities, provides expert human rights advice and encourages Members of Congress to actively engage in human rights issues.

Contact The Commission

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission
House Committee on Foreign Affairs
4150 O'Neill House Office Building
200 C Street SW
Washington, D.C. 20515
United States of America

Phone: +1 (202) 225-3599
Fax: +1 (202) 226-6584
TLHRC@mail.house.gov

Accessibility

The Commission seeks to make its events, meetings and hearings accessible to persons with disabilities.

If you are in need of special accommodations, please call (202) 225-3599 at least four business days in advance.

Questions with regard to special accommodations in general (including availability of Commission materials in alternative formats and assistive listening devices, sign language interpretation, etc.) may be directed to the Commission.

Get Commission E-Mail Updates

Please sign up to receive Commission updates, hearing schedules, and the latest news.