Abstract

Cambridge University Amnesty International warmly invite you to attend the following event to commemorate the 19th anniversary of the 1989 crackdown of the mass student protest in Tiananmen Square, Beijing.

Remember Tiananmen: Past, Present, and the Way Forward

A talk by Mr. WEI Jingsheng

Free Entry. All Welcome.

Wei Jingsheng is one of the most prominent and influential Chinese dissident, sometimes referred to as “Father of Chinese Democracy” and “Nelson Mandela of China”. For the peaceful expression of his political belief, he was sentenced to jail twice for a total of more than 18 years. During that time, he was subject to brutal physical and psychological torture, including solitary confinement and physical attacks. Finally released in 1997, he was promptly deported to the USA , in hope of reducing his influence at home. Yet he has only become more outspoken in his forced exile, travelling all over the world to speak out against the ongoing human rights abuses in China and advocating for democratic reform. At present he is the Chairman of the Overseas Chinese Democracy Coalition and the Wei Jingsheng Foundation.

A prolific writer, he is the author of “Courage to Stand Alone—letters from Prison and Other Writings”, which compiles his articles written initially on toilet paper in jail. He has weekly commentary on Radio Free Asia, and many other news media. He is the winner of numerous human rights awards, including the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Human Rights Award and the European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. Also a seven-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Wei jingsheng will certainly inform, intrigue and inspire.

This talk is part of the event “Remember Tiananmen”, which includes an exhibition about the 1989 Tiananmen Incident, and a candlelight vigil. More details at: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=14648551519 or at http://www.cuamnesty.org.uk