New York City, N.Y., Oct 27, 2012 / 06:51 am
Hollywood actor Christian Bale presented a human rights award to Chinese pro-life advocate Chen Guangcheng for fighting forced abortions in China, praising him as a courageous and inspirational figure.
By exposing "a program of forced abortion and sterilization in Shandong," Chen exemplified the "values that we teach our children every day of helping our fellow man," Bale said.
Chen was the 2012 Human Rights Award Honoree at an Oct. 25 gala in New York City hosted by Human Rights First, an organization that challenges the United States to live up to its ideals.
Bale met the blind human rights activist for the first time at the gala. The Batman star had previously attempted to visit Chen during his time in house arrest but was roughed up and turned away by plainclothes guards.