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Time for US to take a stand on human rights abuses in China?

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    New Jersey Congressman Chris Smith on fight for Chen Guangcheng

  • Duration 3:50
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I hated us period of slow my other family members -- -- have you installed seven -- -- -- And even -- that you -- -- fans.

-- this week the world watched as Chinese dissident Chen -- Chang first escaped house arrest and then wound up at the center of it international diplomatic showdown between US and China.

Joining us now live -- and it has been fighting for -- freedom for years congressman Chris Smith a Republican.

Jersey -- -- heads up the house foreign affairs committee subcommittee on human rights congressman thanks for joining us.

Thank you Shannon think -- much are you and I talked about this earlier this week and you thought this was an excellent opportunity for the administration to take a hard line stance when it comes to.

Human rights abuses in China do you feel like that's been accomplished.

Unfortunately no but in the case of -- the hope is that he and his wife and two children will be out of the country -- in the country soon.

But really if you look at what's going on a lawyer who is his lawyer in 2005.

Who defended -- and against those false proceedings.

But twice I've had him in Washington to testify -- before the human rights committee which I chair.

And he was beaten so badly on Thursday.

His wife said that he has lost hearing in one of -- years people tried to visit -- including US embassy personnel.

Have been precluded that opportunity.

So he still is very much alone.

And and in a semi precarious position I do believe he will get out of China.

But his mother his brother.

His nephew who has been indicted and a whole host of other people and especially the woman who drove him to safety who pay wrong.

We're very very concerned about her welfare and well being -- our embassy in our our administration and congress.

Need to speak much more boldly then we have.

A congressman as some of the experts that I talked to and foreign policy say that China does not like to be publicly challenged it's safer for these folks to do quiet diplomacy things behind the scenes.

There are others who say that if you don't call them out publicly folks like ten won't be -- they won't be freed.

What's your take -- I think it you know it it is a.

A hybrid response that is needed there are times when speaking from the rooftops is required.

Unfortunately when Bill Clinton.

From human rights on May 26 1994.

That was the beginning of a spiraling down.

In terms of human rights protections in China they are not exist -- today.

And in Chad's case -- that defended women from the crime against humanity called forced abortion this man has suffered and his wife.

My hope is our all collective hope he will soon be safe.

Right here in New York.

Protected as part of NYU's offer but all the others you know the idea of saving face.

Can be used I think disproportionately.

To silence and to gag our response yes it needs to be done sometimes in the nuanced way but we have -- so nuanced.

As to be a -- and to be absent when Hu Jintao was in Washington.

He was vetted by the president and even defended by President Obama went -- Associated Press reporter asked about human rights.

They may have a different culture at a different political system so there's a very serious lack of of aggressive push for human rights and the net.

Predictable result is -- human rights have deteriorated.

Significantly.

In China -- congress and Chris.

If we know this is -- topic you're not new to this isn't a new thing we know -- -- a lot of time and we will continue to follow is you fight.

For folks you often can't I can't -- Jones thank you for bring in the light so so expertly on these terrible abuses as well we thank you sir we appreciate it.

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