John Kamm
Encyclopedia
John Kamm is an American businessman, Human Rights
activist, and founder of The Dui Hua Foundation
. He is credited with having helped over 400 religious and political prisoners in China.
in Hong Kong. He convinced the majority of its members to pass a resolution condemning the suppression of Tiananmen Square protests of 1989
, despite strong opposition from many who thought that the Chamber should not make political statements.
The following year, he became president of the Chamber. During his one year tenure, he pressured Beijing to release people imprisoned for their participation in the Tian’anmen Square protests. Simultaneously, Kamm advocated the extension of China’s Most Favored Nation (MFN) trade status, arguing that engagement with China is a more effective tool than sanctions to improve the status of political detainees.
)
Kamm is the founder and executive director of the San Francisco-based Dui Hua Foundation (“dui hua” means “dialogue” in Chinese
). The non-profit organization is dedicated to improving human rights in the United States and China through well-informed dialogues. Dui Hua maintains a database with information on 15,000 political prisoners.
Since founding Dui Hua in 1999, Kamm has spent the majority of his time working on behalf of Chinese prisoners of conscience, lobbying for better treatment or early release. Drawing from Dui Hua’s database, Kamm creates lists of political prisoners and presents these lists to Chinese officials.
The Chinese government’s responsiveness to these lists is due to Kamm and his foundation’s emphasis on dialogue rather than “naming and shaming.” However, at least part of Dui Hua’s success can be attributed to John Kamm’s specific history as a businessman. Chinese government officials view Kamm as a serious and respectful interlocutor because of the credit and connections he built up during his years in Hong Kong.
, "The Prisoner of Lhasa," introduces the life of the Tibetan nun Ngawang Sangdrol
and details how Kamm's work contributed to her release.
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
activist, and founder of The Dui Hua Foundation
Dui Hua Foundation
The Dui Hua Foundation is a San Francisco based non-profit organization dedicated to improving universal human rights by means of a well-informed dialogue between the United States and China...
. He is credited with having helped over 400 religious and political prisoners in China.
Early work
In 1989, Kamm was vice president of the American Chamber of CommerceChamber of commerce
A chamber of commerce is a form of business network, e.g., a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community...
in Hong Kong. He convinced the majority of its members to pass a resolution condemning the suppression of Tiananmen Square protests of 1989
Tiananmen Square protests of 1989
The Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, also known as the June Fourth Incident in Chinese , were a series of demonstrations in and near Tiananmen Square in Beijing in the People's Republic of China beginning on 15 April 1989...
, despite strong opposition from many who thought that the Chamber should not make political statements.
The following year, he became president of the Chamber. During his one year tenure, he pressured Beijing to release people imprisoned for their participation in the Tian’anmen Square protests. Simultaneously, Kamm advocated the extension of China’s Most Favored Nation (MFN) trade status, arguing that engagement with China is a more effective tool than sanctions to improve the status of political detainees.
"Whatever capital we might earn by fighting further sanctions, we will gladly spend in the effort to free all Chinese prisoners of conscience."
Dui Hua Foundation
(see also Dui Hua FoundationDui Hua Foundation
The Dui Hua Foundation is a San Francisco based non-profit organization dedicated to improving universal human rights by means of a well-informed dialogue between the United States and China...
)
Kamm is the founder and executive director of the San Francisco-based Dui Hua Foundation (“dui hua” means “dialogue” in Chinese
Chinese language
The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages...
). The non-profit organization is dedicated to improving human rights in the United States and China through well-informed dialogues. Dui Hua maintains a database with information on 15,000 political prisoners.
Since founding Dui Hua in 1999, Kamm has spent the majority of his time working on behalf of Chinese prisoners of conscience, lobbying for better treatment or early release. Drawing from Dui Hua’s database, Kamm creates lists of political prisoners and presents these lists to Chinese officials.
The Chinese government’s responsiveness to these lists is due to Kamm and his foundation’s emphasis on dialogue rather than “naming and shaming.” However, at least part of Dui Hua’s success can be attributed to John Kamm’s specific history as a businessman. Chinese government officials view Kamm as a serious and respectful interlocutor because of the credit and connections he built up during his years in Hong Kong.
"When I lobbied for MFN, I had no idea what the impact would be. The Chinese government was truly grateful. I was really surprised. Even to this day, Chinese officials tell me I will always be remembered for this. This is truly ironic when you consider what I say….I can criticize China very harshly because I did something they see as an act of friendship."
Documentary film
A documentary film by Marie LouvilleMarie Louville
Marie Louville, is a French journalist, specialist of Tibet, director of documentary films on Tibet.In 1987, the Dalai Lama was not yet given the Nobel Peace price and the Tibetan cause was therefore yet not so well known, she directed a report on the situation in Tibet that will be broadcast...
, "The Prisoner of Lhasa," introduces the life of the Tibetan nun Ngawang Sangdrol
Ngawang Sangdrol
Ngawang Sangdrol is a former political prisoner, imprisoned by the Government of the People's Republic of China, for peacefully demonstrating against the Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1992...
and details how Kamm's work contributed to her release.
Awards
- In 1997, Kamm received the Department of Commerce’s Best Global Practices Award from President Bill Clinton.
- In 2001, he received the Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Human RightsEleanor Roosevelt Award for Human RightsThe Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Human Rights was established in 1998 by the President of the United States Bill Clinton, honoring outstanding American promoters of rights in the United States....
from President George W. Bush.
- In 2004, he was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship for his work. To date, he is the only businessman to have received this honor.