China Forced-Abortion Opponent Chen Guangcheng Reported Alive

December 6, 2011

Reports in October indicated that Chen Guangcheng, a blind human rights activist who led the fight against forced abortions under China's one-child policy, was killed while under house arrest, but a source who requested anonymity says Chen is still alive and being treated better by guards, LifeNews.com reports. Chen has been confined to house arrest since his release from prison after serving a four-year term for exposing a campaign of forced abortions and sterilizations by population control officials in the city of Linyi. "We are thrilled and relieved that Chen is alive and his health is improving," said Reggie Littlejohn, president of Women's Rights Without Frontiers. "[His] improved treatment demonstrates the power of the collaborative effort inside and outside China to raise the visibility of his case."