According to an April 7 release from the Center for the Study of American Democracy (CSAD), prominent Chinese rights activist Chen Guangcheng has been awarded this year’s Leopoldo López Freedom and Democracy Award. The official award ceremony will be held via webcam this Thursday.
The Center said the Leopoldo López Freedom and Democracy Award was established in 2019 by the family and classmates of prominent Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo López to recognize López’s contributions to the peaceful advancement of freedom and democracy. The award was also given to Chen Guangcheng in recognition of his extraordinary efforts to build the rule of law in China, and the significant price he and his family have paid for it.
Chen Guangcheng, a blind human rights activist from Shandong Province, is said to have defended the rights of his citizens through his self-education in law by publicly attacking China’s family planning policy and disclosing the injustices of forced abortions, arbitrary arrests of relatives and large fines. In April 2012, Chen Guangcheng fled Shandong with the help of friends and sought asylum at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. Diplomatic relations between the U.S. and China were also strained at the time around Chen’s departure.
“The Center for American Democracy said in a press release that after Thursday’s ceremony, Chen and Lopez, two prominent political exiles, will share a stage to discuss the important issue of personal sacrifice in advancing democracy.
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