【新唐人2011年3月29日訊】總部設在英國倫敦，以倡導言論自由的出版組織「查禁目錄」（Index on Censorship），24號將今年的「言論自由獎」，頒給了在中國挺身發言的人權律師高智晟。由於高智晟目前行蹤不明，他的妻子耿和錄了一段視頻，代他發表領獎感言。
目前已經失蹤一年的高智晟，無法出席「言論自由獎」頒獎典禮，他在美國避難的妻子耿和，感謝「查禁目錄」對高智晟堅守人權和自由貢獻的認可。
耿和：「我多希望今天站在領獎臺的不是我，而是高智晟本人。如果那樣，我不僅會為他獲獎高興，更會為他能夠重獲自由，能夠自由的呼吸，自由的思考，自由的講話而高興。」
對於高智晟獲獎的理由，「查禁目錄」解釋說，高智晟說出關於人權的問題、並為少數群體辯護而遭到北京政府的迫害。
高智晟過去曾處理多起民眾維權案件，多次控告地方政府，還三次上書中共高層，要求改變對法輪功等群體的非法打壓。
自學成才的高智晟，從2003年起，就積極參加了陝北石油事件的維權活動。2004年到2005年間，他曾經三次上書中共當局，碰觸當前中共最敏感的話題﹣法輪功，他要求政府改變對法輪功等群體的非法打壓。
2005年，他被北京勒令停業一年，期間還遭到跟蹤、限制人身自由。
2006年，他堅持為弱勢群體繼續發聲，在太石村事件和汕尾事件中，發起了全球維權接力絕食。
蘇家屯活摘法輪功學員器官的事件曝光後，高智晟也公開表示，要參與調查活摘器官事件的真相。
2006年8月15號，高智晟在山東姐姐家中被秘密拘捕，同年的9月21號，中共當局以「煽動顛覆國家政權罪」正式將他逮捕。雖然在國際的壓力下，最後以緩刑處理，但高智晟一家卻受到便衣警察24小時的貼身監控。
2009年2月4號起，高智晟與外界失去了聯繫，同一時間，他的妻兒在外界的幫助下逃到美國庇難。
2010年4月，高智晟突然回到北京，還接受了《美聯社》的專訪。隨後又再度與外界失去了聯繫。
耿和：「離上一次的露面， 高智晟又將近一年沒有任何消息，我和孩子都在擔心和焦慮中度過。每一次的失蹤，伴隨而來的都是駭人聽聞的酷刑。高智晟目前經歷的，是中國目前人權真實的狀況。」
《美聯社》在今年1月公布了高智晟當時接受訪問的細節，披露高智晟受到嚴重的酷刑虐待，《美聯社》並解釋，之所以會那麼晚公布這些細節，是因為高智晟表示，除非他再一次失蹤，或是已到了像美國這樣的「安全地方」，才能曝光採訪內容。
美國民間組織「對華援助協會」，已經徵集超過15萬人的簽名，呼籲中共釋放高智晟。
新唐人記者李庭、郭敬綜合報導。
Gao Zhisheng Wins Freedom of Expression Award
London-based publishing organization,
Index on Censorship, advocates freedom of
expression. On March 24, it gave Chinese rights
lawyer,Gao Zhisheng, the Freedom of Expression
Award. As Gao is currently missing, his wife,
Geng He, accepted the award on his behalf,
and made an online speech.
Gao has been missing for over a year. His wife
Geng He has been granted asylum in the U.S.
On his behalf, Geng thanked Index on Censorship
for the award that recognizes Gao for his efforts in
safeguarding human rights and freedom of speech
Geng: “I wish Gao Zhisheng could receive this
award in person. If that were the case, I would be
proud of his award. I would cheer for his regaining
of freedom, for being able to breathe freely,
for being able to think and speak freely.“
Regarding the reason to grant the award to Gao,
Index of Censorship said, Gao has been persecuted
by Beijing for speaking out on human right issues
and defending the rights of minority groups.
Gao has worked on many human rights cases.
He accused local authorities several times.
He wrote three open letters to the top officials
of the communist party, calling on them to end
their persecution of Falun Gong practitioners.
Since 2003, Gao, a self-taught lawyer, has been
actively participating in the rights activities
concerning an oil-related incident in Shanbei.
From 2004 to 2005, he wrote three open letters to
the Chinese regime about the most sensitive issue –
Falun Gong, calling on the government to end their illegal
persecution of Falun Gong and other groups.
In 2005, his business was suspended for a year
and he was placed under surveillance. His personal
freedom was restricted by the communist regime.
In 2006, he continued to speak out for vulnerable
groups. While advocating for people’s rights,
he launched a global rights advocacy hunger strike.
After the revelations of systematic organ harvesting
of living Falun Gong practitioners, Gao announced
publically that he will join the investigation.
On August 15, 2006, Gao was arrested secretly at
his sister’s home in Shandong. On September 21,
the authorities formally charged him with
“inciting subversion of state power”.
Although he was put on probation due to
international pressure, Gao’s family was placed
under 24-hour surveillance by plainclothed police.
Since February 4, 2009, the outside world has lost
contact with Gao..At the same time, his wife and
children fled to the U.S. for asylum.
On April 2010, Gao suddenly returned to Beijing
and was interviewed by the Associated Press.
Then the outside world lost again contact with him .
Geng: “Since my husband’s last public appearance,
we have endured nearly a year of total silence.
Our children and I live with worry and anxiety.
Gao’s disappearance in the past coincided
with brutality and shocking torture by the regime.
My husband’s case is a true presentation of
China’s ongoing human rights crisis.”
On January 2011, the Associated Press published
details of Gao’s interview, revealing the severity
of the torture he has endured in police’s hands.
Associated Press said that they published these
details so late, because Gao asked not to publish
them unless he disappeared again or
landed in a “safe place” like the U.S.
The U.S. non-government organization,
China Aid Association,
has collected over 150,000 signatures calling on
the Chinese regime to release Gao Zhisheng.
NTD reporters Li Ting and Guo Jing