Hep B activists named 2009 Top Ten Legal Figures in China

(Beijing Yi Ren Ping Center, Jan. 4, 2010) -Right activists Lu Jun and Lei Chuang, who campaigned for Hepatitis B Virus(HBV) carriers in China, were named one of the 2009 Top Ten Legal Figures in China by state-administered websites on December 29, 2009.

In the joint statement, People.com.cn, Chinacourt.org and CCTV.com summarized the outstanding efforts and achievements they have made. As early as 2003, Lu Jun began focusing on the widespread discrimination against HBV carriers in society. In the years he and his organization fought for the rights of Chinese HBV carriers, central authorities in Beijing adopted a number of anti-discrimination rules and the Employment Promotion Law was passed by China’s legislature. Due to his years-long hardwork, Lu Jun was awarded Italy-based international award Padre Pino Puglisi this year. As for Lei Chuang, the websites said his application--ever first in the nation after the State Council adopted a new regulation--to obtain health certificate marked a milestone for Chinese HBV carriers, who had long been barred by legal and policy obstacles.

The sites praised them to be the heavy-lifters on behalf of China’s 120 million HBV carriers and foot-soldiers on the frontline of the anti-discrimination battle.

According to the statement, Lu Jun and Lei Chuang used legal weapons to uphold justice and thanks to their commitment to the rule of law, there had been more crack of sunshine and less trace of sunshine for the cornered HBV carriers.

The three websites all have official backgrounds. People.com.cn is the online edition of People’s Daily, the mouthpiece of the ruling Communist Party, while Chinacourt.org has the back of China’s Supreme Court and CCTV.com represents the country’s largest network China Central TeleVision.