International Group Forms China Democracy Foundation

PRESS RELEASE October 20, 2020

China Democracy Foundation Storms The Scene With Support to Embattled Academic

Today marks a new chapter in the global battle for human rights and democracy according to a new organization called the China Democracy Foundation, that stormed the scene overnight in its defense of New Zealand Professor Anne-Marie Brady’s scholarship on global Chinese influence operations. The University of Canterbury, New Zealand is currently subjecting Professor Brady to an internal disciplinary review process alleging that her report to the New Zealand Parliament “Holding a Pen in One Hand, Gripping a Gun in the Other” (https://www.wilsoncenter.org/publication/holding-pen-one-hand-gripping-gun-other) on how the Chinese People’s Liberation Army is using civilian links with Western countries to access cutting-edge scientific expertise with military-end-use violates the University’s ”Critic and Conscience of Society and Academic Freedom Principles and Policy”

(https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/media/uc-policy-library/general/Critic-&-Conscience-of-Society-and-Academic-Freedom--Principles-and-Policy.pdf) “Having read it [Brady’s paper], I feel that the things which Anne-Marie raises are precisely those which ought to be raised,” according to Charles Parton OBE, a CDF board member and former British diplomat. “Those who object should respond with arguments to refute, based on a scholarship as profound as Anne-Marie's. The irony is that in seeking to explore a charge of bringing their university into disrepute, the vice-chancellor and others have done precisely that, and to a degree which Anne-Marie could never have effected, even if her intentions had been in line with the charges possibly being brought. This was not hard to predict. It is an impressive piece of Idiocy.”

With the broader purpose of supporting and defending scholars, journalists, and others who work on issues of democracy and human rights related to China, the China Democracy Foundation (CDF) provides financial support for a robust legal defense against attacks due to their scholarship, journalism, and activism. For decades academics and journalists have been under attack by the Communist Party of China for any presentation of facts that might bring truth to power, according to the group. The CDF will initially fund the legal expenses of Professor Brady arising from her university’s Fall 2020 actions. Funds in excess of Professor Brady’s legal expenses will be used for the support and defense of other scholarship, journalism, and activism that advances democracy and human rights in China, including but not limited to legal expenses of other scholars, journalists, and individuals who are facing legal challenges from the Chinese Communist Party.

Donations can be made through the website https://chinadem.org

According to one donor, who gave $1000 USD, “It’s the least i can do; NZ born HK raised I’ve lost my city this year - i know what’s at stake; Ms. Brady is a New Zealand Hero - Thank you all for fighting the good fight!” The organization has board members from Canada, China, Hong Kong, the U.S. and Britain.

For media inquiries please contact Charles Burton: cburton001@pm.me (North America)

Charlie Parton, cwpartonchina@gmail.com (UK)

Kelsang Dolma,Social Media: Twitter @C_DemFoundation