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Global Ethics Corner: What Does Chen Guangcheng's Arrival in the U.S. Mean for Human Rights in China?

From: Carnegie Council
Series: Global Ethics Corner
Length: 02:02

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With Chen Guangcheng now in the United States on a student visa, a diplomatic nightmare has been averted for the Obama administration. But this compromise has left some human rights advocates disappointed. What effect, if any, will Chen's arrival have on human rights in China? Read the full description.

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Global Ethics Corner is a weekly 2 minute segment devoted to newsworthy ethical issues. It presents both sides of an issue, asking viewers to weigh the information and make up their own minds.

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Piece Description

Global Ethics Corner is a weekly 2 minute segment devoted to newsworthy ethical issues. It presents both sides of an issue, asking viewers to weigh the information and make up their own minds.

Transcript

The Obama administration breathed a collective sigh of relief recently when Chinese human rights activist Chen Guangcheng arrived in New York. His escape from house arrest and refuge in the U.S. Embassy in Beijing sparked a diplomatic nightmare for the U.S.

For years, Chen has been one of China's most vocal champions for human rights. He first reached international prominence in 2005, when he sued the city of Linyi for excessive enforcement of China's one-child policy, which he says resulted in forced abortions.

Chinese authorities did not greet Chen's lawsuit warmly, imprisoning Chen that same year. Eventually, he was put on house arrest. That's where many expected he would remain, until his escape landed him in U.S. custody.

Chen's April escape created a moral dilemma for the U.S. On the one hand, the country could rally around Chen's cause. That would draw attention to China's huma...
Read the full transcript

Additional Credits

Deborah Carroll – Executive Producer
Marlene Spoerri – Contributing Writer
Julia Kennedy - Content Editor
Robert Smithline - Editor
Terence Hurley - Editor
Gusta Johnson - Production Assistant

Related Website

www.carnegiecouncil.org