Chen Guangcheng - House Arrest

House Arrest

After his release from prison in 2010, Chen was placed under house arrest and was closely monitored by security forces. However, he and his wife attempted to communicate with the outside world via video tape and letters. Letters described beatings against Chen and his wife, the seizure of documents and communication devices, the cutting off of electric power to their residence, and the placing of metal sheets over the windows of their house. Official harassment of Chen's family continued throughout his house arrest, and extended to Chen's six-year-old daughter—who was briefly banned from attending school and had her toys confiscated by guards—and to Chen's mother, who was harassed while working in the fields. Authorities reportedly told Chen that they had spent 60 million yuan ($9.5 million) to keep him under house arrest.

In 2011, The New York Times reported that a number of supporters and admirers had attempted to penetrate the security monitoring Chen's home, but were unsuccessful. In some instances, his supporters were pummeled, beaten, or robbed by security agents. U.S. Congressman Chris Smith attempted to visit Chen in November 2011, but was not granted permission. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton described the U.S. government as "alarmed" by Chen's continued detention and called on China "to embrace a different path". Human Rights Watch described his house arrest as "unlawful" and called on authorities give Chen his freedom.

In December 2011, actor Christian Bale attempted to visit Chen along with a CNN crew, but was punched, shoved, and denied access by Chinese security guards. Bale later stated that he had wanted "to meet the man, shake his hand and say what an inspiration he is." Video footage also showed Bale and the CNN crew having stones thrown at them, and being pursued in their minivan for more than 40 minutes.