Contact: Daniel Burton, China Aid Association, Inc., 432-689-6985, 267-205-5210, info@ChinaAid.org; www.chinaaid.org, www.monitorchina.org
MEDIA ADVISORY, July 3 /Christian Newswire/ -- In a new campaign aimed to bring awareness of religious persecution to the business and industry sector, China Aid Association has begun a fax advocacy campaign today. The campaign is focused on holding businesses accountable for their actions in regards to corporate social responsibility.
The initial campaign will focus on Beijing bookstore owner and house church leader, Shi Weihan. In January of 2008, Beijing resident Shi Weihan was arrested under suspicion of printing illegal Christian material. He has been illegally held in a detention center in Beijing for more than three months without receiving formal charges or trial. Shi's family members were prohibited from visiting him while in detention. The family was also restricted from delivering diabetes medication to Shi who has suffered seriously from the disease for some time.
1,161 foreign invested companies within Beijing will be faxed first hand accurate information concerning Shi Weihan and his case. The companies' leaders are urged to take action as part of their corporate social responsibility contract. Companies include:
578 American companies, 442 Japanese companies, 90 German companies, 35 French and 16 Russian owned companies.
It is CAA's hope that the corporate and business centers within Beijing will respond to local authorities inquiring about the situation, encouraging them to treat Shi in a more humane manor and even call for his unconditional release.
As persecution continues to increase with the approach of the Beijing Olympics, it is time for the corporate and business world to stand against human rights violations and take responsibility for their community. China Aid Association will be quick and accurate to report both the action and inaction of the companies who receive word of persecutions within their areas of influence.
Issued by CAA July 2, 2008
