The Case of Chen Guangcheng: A Briefing from the U.S. Legal Adviser

Summer Associate Briefing: The Case of Chen Guangcheng: A Briefing from the U.S. Legal Adviser, Harold Hongju Koh

June 11, 2012, TIME:  12:00-2:00 PM

ASIL Headquarters, Tillar House


I am amazed at his ability to untangle the extreme complexity of Chen's case such that even layperson could see the flow of turns of the event in light of a lawyer as a negotiator. 


As always, he showed off his great sense of humor

• "Are your mom and dad happy that you 'applied' for NYU?"
• "we didn't get the drink" 

I came across a news article that said the U.S. government tried to kick Chen out of embassy. According to Mr. Koh, that was not the case. 

Legal questions 

• whether Chen had a right to enter the U.S. embassy -- No 
• whether the U.S. may allow (or grab) Chen in its embassy -- it depends -- look to precedents 

Cultural difference 

• To Westerners, contract matters. 
• To Chinese, commitment matters.   

Two principles 

• must be based on Chen's (voluntary) decision
• should bring him in a better situation than the house arrest 

Koh's father

• think hard (even ten times a day)