Chen Guangcheng Honored

Chen Guangcheng Honored

Chen Guangcheng, Barefoot Lawyers, Lawyers (Blind), Rewards (Prizes, etc.), China

Prior to receiving the Magsaysay Award for Emergent Leadership in 2007, Chen Guangcheng was cited for various honors. In the same year on March 14, he was honored with the "Freedom of Expression Award" by the Index on Censorship. Freedom of Expression Awards recognizes those who have made outstanding contributions in the field through films, books, the law, journalism or whistleblowing. Chen was among the five (5) "defenders of free speech" recognized by the body. He won the whistleblower prize for publicizing accusations that Linyi City officials forced thousands of women to be sterilized and have abortions as late as eight (8) months into their pregnancies to enforce China's controversial family planning "one-child" policy.
In April 30, 2006, Time magazine chose him as one of "2006 Top 100 People Who Shape Our World" in the category of "Heroes and Pioneers." In September 9 of the same year, he was cited as Special Human Rights Hero for 2006 by the China Freedom Culture Movement. And in late December, he was honored as one of Asia's Most Influential People for 2005 by the Yazhou Zhoukan (Asian Times). Lastly, Asia Week honored him as one of the "The Men of the Year for 2005."

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