WIPC in English

10 December, 2007

His Excellency Hu Jintao
President of the People’s
State Council
Beijing 100032                                          1
People’s Republic of China

Procurator General Mr. Jia Chunwang
Republic of China Supreme People's Procuratorate
Beiheyan Street 147
Beijing 100726
People’s Republic of China

Mr. Xiao Yang
President of the Supreme People’s Court
No.27 Dongjiaominxiang
Dongcheng District, Beijing 100745
People’s Republic of China

Excellencies:

We are writing on behalf of our members and the entire community of International PEN, the worldwide association of writers, to urge you to release 40 of our colleagues who are in prison in your country in violation of their right to freedom of expression.

This past August, China launched a publicity campaign proclaiming “We Are Ready” to host the Olympic Games in August 2008. Today, on the 59^th commemoration of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we challenge you to demonstrate that China is in fact ready – not just to stage the Olympics, but to acknowledge, protect, and celebrate the full rights of its citizens.

PEN believes the following writers and journalists are imprisoned in your country for exercising their right to speak and write freely, as guaranteed under Chinese and international law:

CHEN Shuqing

CHING Cheong

GUO Qizhen

Dawa GYALTSEN

Jampel GYATSO

HADA

HE Depu

HU Shigen

HUANG Jinqiu (aka Qing Shuiju)

Korash HUSEYIN

JIN Haike

KONG Youping

Dolma KYAB

LI Changqing

LI Zhi

LU Gengsong

LU Jianhua

LU Zengqi

Abdulghani MEMETEMIN

NING Xianhua

QIAO Chonghuai

SHI Tao

TAO Haidong

Tohti TUNYAZ (pen-name MUZART)

WANG Xiaoning

WU Yilong

XU Wei

XU Zerong

YAN Zhengxue

YANG Maodong (aka Guo Feixiong)

YANG Tongyan (aka Yang Tianshui)

YANG Zili

Nurehamet YASIN

YU Huafeng

YUAN Qiuyan

ZHANG Honghai

ZHANG Jianhong (aka Li Hong)

ZHANG Lin

ZHENG Yichun

ZHU Yufu

We are attaching brief descriptions of each of these colleagues that are based on PEN’s most recent research. We entreat you to review this information and intervene in these cases to facilitate their immediate releases.

In addition, in order that these colleagues are not simply replaced by others and that writers and journalists are not imprisoned in violation of their right to freedom of expression in the future, we respectfully request that the Chinese government:

abide by its pledge that “there will be no restrictions on media reporting and movement of journalists up to and including the Olympic Games”; and

end internet censorship and reform laws that are used to suppress the free exchange of information and ideas on the internet.

The continuing detention of writers and journalists damages China’s image abroad and undercuts its ambitions to develop a dynamic and competitive economy and culture. China’s citizens are ready to exercise the rights they are guaranteed under their constitution and under international law, including the freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers. With all eyes on China this year, we look forward to the good news that our colleagues have been released.

Sincerely,

Francine Prose
President
PEN American Center

Zheng Yi
President
Independent Chinese PEN Center

Nelofer Pazira
President
PEN Canada

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Chen Shuqing

Dissident writer and leading member of the Zhejiang Branch of the banned Chinese Democratic Party (CDP), arrested September 14, 2006 and charged with “inciting subversion.” Chen’s case has twice been handed back to the police for lack of evidence, but on August 14, 2007 he was sentenced to four years in prison and one year’s deprivation of political rights. He is still being held in the Detention Center of Hangzhou Ctiy, Zhejiang Province.

Ching Cheong

Hong Kong-based correspondent for Singapore’s The Straits Times, arrested April 22, 2005 and sentenced to five years in prison on charges of espionage after Chinese authorities claimed he received state secrets from academic Lu Jianhua. Ching is reportedly being held incommunicado in Beijing.

Guo Qizhen

Cyber-dissident arrested on May 12, 2006 and charged with “inciting subversion of state power” for 34 articles he published on overseas websites attacking the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party. Guo was sentenced to four years in prison and three years’ deprivation of political rights on October 17, 2006. He is being held in Cangzhou Detention Center No. 2 in Heibei Province, and is reportedly nursing a broken leg and is in a fragile psychological state, possibly due to abuse.

Dawa Gyaltsen

Tibetan dissident arrested in November 1995 for writing pro-independence pamphlets which were posted in April 1995 as part of widespread protests against the Chinese authorities. Dawa was charged with carrying out “counter-revolutionary propaganda” and is now serving a 15-year prison sentence. He is currently being held in the notorious Drapchi Prison in Lhasa. He was reportedly severely tortured under interrogation, and has suffered numerous forms of abuse in prison, including beatings, psychological stress, and lack of access to fresh air. When he was first arrested, he was handcuffed and thrown into a dark room without food for ten days.

Jampel Gyatso

Monk from Drakar Trezong monastery in Qinghai province, where he was on the editorial team of the monastery’s journal, The Charm of the Sun and Moon. Jampel was arrested on January 16, 2005 and sentenced to three years re-education through labor (RTL). He is currently being held in Topa RTL Camp at Huangzhong Dzong, near Xining.

Hada

Owner of the Mongolian Academic Bookstore and founder and editor-in-chief of underground journal The Voice of Southern Mongolia, arrested December 10, 1995 and sentenced to 15 years in prison and four years’ deprivation of political rights for “inciting separatism and espionage” on December 6, 1996. Hada is currently being held at No. 4 Prison of Inner Mongolia in Chi Feng City, and is suffering from stomach ulcers and coronary heart disease.

He Depu

Dissident activist and writer arrested on November 4, 2002 and subsequently sentenced to eight years in prison and two years’ deprivation of political rights for “inciting subversion.” He’s trial lasted a mere two hours before he was convicted on charges that stemmed from his collaboration with the banned China Democracy Party (CDP) and his internet essays. He has reportedly suffered numerous abuses in prison, including beatings that left permanent injuries.

Hu Shigen

University lecturer, political activist and dissident writer, arrested September 27, 1992 and charged with “counterrevolutionary crimes” for planning June 4 memorial activities in many of China’s major cities. Hu was a founding member of the China Freedom and Democracy Party (CFDP) and China Free Trade Union (CFTU) and has campaigned for government accountability for the violent suppression of the Democracy Movement in June 1989. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison and five years’ deprivation of political rights and is currently being held in Beijing No. 2 Prison. His sentence has recently been reduced by a total of two years. His health is deteriorating but he is reportedly being denied medical care for a number of medical conditions.

Huang Jingqiu (pen name: Qing Shuiju)

PEN American Center Honorary Member

Internet essayist, writer and journalist, arrested on September 13, 2003 and sentenced to 12 years in prison and four years’ deprivation of civil rights for “organizing, planning and carrying out subversive activities” and for writing “reactionary” articles on the internet. Huang was severely tortured during the first two years in jail. His situation has improved in the past year and his sentence has been reduced by 22 months.

Korash Huseyin

Editor of the Uighur-language Kashgar Literary Journal, arrested for publishing Nurmuhemmet Yasin’s short story Wild Pigeon in late 2004. Chinese authorities consider the story to be a criticism of their government’s presence in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region. Huseyin was sentenced to three years in prison and is due to be released in 2008.

Jin Haike

Geologist and writer, arrested March 13, 2001 along with Xue Wei, Yang Zili, and Zhang Honghai after participating in the “Xin Qingnian Xuehui” (New Youth Study Group), an informal gathering of individuals concerned with political and economic inequalities who used the internet to circulate relevant articles. Jin was finally sentenced on May 28, 2003 to ten years in prison on charges of subversion.

Kong Youping

Internet writer and factory worker, arrested December 13, 2003 after posting five articles and seven poems on an overseas website that alleged corruption. Kong was sentenced on September 16, 2004 to 15 years in prison for “subverting state power,” a sentence that was reduced to ten years on appeal. He is currently being held at Lingyuan City prison, west Liaoning Province and is reportedly suffering from high blood pressure and deteriorating eyesight.

Dolma Kyab

PEN American Center Honorary Member

Writer and teacher, arrested on March 9, 2005 in Lhasa, Tibet for allegedly endangering state security in his unpublished book, The Restless Himalayas, which was comprised of 57 chapters he had written on various topics: democracy, sovereignty of Tibet, Tibet under communism, colonialism, religion and belief, and so forth. Dolma was charged with “espionage” and “illegal border crossing” at a trial conducted in secrecy, and sentenced to ten and a half years in prison. In July, 2007, he was reportedly moved from Chushui prison in Lhasa to Seilong Labor Camp in Xining, and is seriously ill.

Li Changqing

Deputy news director of the Fuzhou Daily, arrested December 16, 2004. After a series of charges, Li was finally sentenced to three years in prison on January 24, 2006 by the Gulou district court in southern China’s Fuzhou city for “spreading false and alarmist information.” He is currently being held in Yong-an Prison in Fujian Province and is suffering from stomach inflammation.

Li Zhi

Internet writer and financial officer in the Dazhou municipal government in Sichuan province, arrested August 11, 2003 after posting essays accusing Sichuan officials of corruption on an overseas website. Li was sentenced to eight years in prison and four years’ deprivation of political rights on December 10, 2003 on charges of “subverting state power.” Evidence was supplied by Yahoo!, which passed on his user information to the authorities. He is currently being held in Sichuan No. 3 Prison in Dazhu County.

Lu Gengsong

Writer and human rights activist, arrested on August 24, 2007 after his articles critical of the authorities were published online. Lu was formally charged with “inciting subversion of state power” on September 29, 2007. He is currently being held incommunicado at the Xihu (West Lake) Detention Centre in Hangzhou City.

Lu Jianhua

Research professor at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Deputy Director of Public Policy Research, and Executive Director of the China Development Strategy, arrested in April 2005 on charges of “leaking state secrets” to Hong Kong based-reporter Ching Cheong. After a secret trial lasting only 90 minutes on December 18, 2006, Lu was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison. He is reportedly being held incommunicado in Beijing City jail.

Lu Zengqi

Falun Gong member and internet writer, sentenced on February 19, 2004 to ten years in prison for writing an online publication which “tarnished the image of the government by broadcasting fabricated stories of persecution suffered by cult members.” The newsletter alleged ill-treatment in prison of a fellow Falun Gong member.

Abdulghani Memetemin

Writer, teacher and translator from the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous region, arrested July 26, 2002 after providing information to the East Turkestan Information Centre (ETIC), a Uighur rights and pro-independence group run by exiled Uighurs in Germany. Memetemin was convicted in June 2003 by the Kashgar Intermediate People’s Court of “Illegally providing state secrets to overseas organizations” and sentenced to nine years in prison. He was reportedly denied legal representation at his trial and has been tortured in prison.

Ning Xianhua

Internet writer and factory worker, arrested December 13, 2003 after posting online essays supporting the establishment of trade unions and the China Democracy Party (CDP). Ning was sentenced on September 16, 2004 to 12 years in prison for “subverting state power,” a sentence that was reduced to eight years on appeal. He is currently being held at Shenyang prison in Liaoning Province.

Qiao Chonghuai

Journalist detained June 25, 2007 following the publication on the Xinhuanet website of an article alleging official corruption in the Tengzhou Communist Party. Qiao was formally charged with “blackmail” on August 2, 2007, and is currently being held at the Detention Center of Tengzhou City pending further investigation.

Shi Tao

PEN American Center Honorary Member

Journalist, poet, and member of Independent Chinese PEN Center, arrested November 24, 2004 after he emailed the government’s plans for controlling media during the 10th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre. Shi was sentenced on April 30, 2005 to ten years in prison and two years’ deprivation of political rights for “illegally divulging state secrets abroad” after Yahoo! supplied his user information to authorities. He is currently being held in Deshan Prison, Changde City, Hunan Province.

Tao Haidong

Internet writer and editor, arrested July 9, 2002 in his home in Urumqi, Zinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region while in the process of posting articles on the internet. Tao was found guilty of “inciting subversion of state power” and sentenced to seven years in prison and three years’ deprivation of political rights. He is currently being held in Changji Prison in Changji City, Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region.

Tohti Tunyaz (pen name: Muzart)

PEN American Center Honorary Member

Ethnic Uighur historian and writer, arrested April 1, 1998 while on a research trip in Urumqi for his studies at Tokyo University, where he was working towards a Ph.D. in Uighur history and ethnic relations. Tunyaz was sentenced on February 15, 2000 to eleven years in prison and two years’ deprivation of political rights for “stealing state secrets” and “inciting national disunity.” He is currently being held in Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region Prison No. 3 in Urumqi.

Wang Xiaoning

Internet writer and dissident, arrested on September 1, 2002 and charged with subversion for articles published online between 2000 and 2002. Wang was sentenced to ten years in prison and two years’ deprivation of political rights on July 25, 2003 after Yahoo! supplied his user information to Chinese authorities. He is currently being held in Beijing No. 2 Prison and has reportedly been tortured.

Wu Yilong

Internet writer and China Democracy Party (CDP) activist, arrested in June 1999 for circulating pro-democracy articles on the internet and for his work with the magazine Zai Yedang (Opposition Party). Wu was sentenced to 11 years in prison on charges of subversion on November 9, 1999. He is currently being held in Zhejiang No. 4 Prison in Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province.

Xu Wei

Reporter for Xiaofei Ribao (Consumer Daily), arrested March 13, 2001 along with Jin Haike, Yang Zili, and Zhang Honghai after participating in the “Xin Qingnian Xuehui” (New Youth Study Group), an informal gathering of individuals concerned with political and economic inequalities who used the internet to circulate relevant articles. Xu was finally sentenced on May 28, 2003 to ten years in prison on charges of subversion.

Xu Zerong

Research professor at Zongshan University in Guangzhou, arrested June 24, 2000 and sentenced on December 20, 2001 to 13 years in prison for leaking state secrets and illegal business activities related to his research on Chinese military operations during the Korean War. Xu is reportedly being held in a section of Xichuan Prison reserved for elderly and sick prisoners and is suffering from serious health conditions.

Yan Zhengxue

Dissident writer, painter and member of Independent Chinese PEN Center, arrested October 18, 2006 for his critical writings published online on overseas websites. Yan was sentenced to three years in prison and one year deprivation of political rights for “inciting subversion of state power” on April 13 2007. He is being held in Shiliping Prison in Quzhou City, Zhejiang Province.

Yang Maodong (pen name: Guo Feixiong)

Dissident writer, independent publisher and civil rights activist, arrested on September 14, 2006 and sentenced on November 14, 2007 to five years in prison for “illegal business activity.” Yang has endured intense torture at the hands of prison authorities, including beatings, sleep deprivation, stress positions, and suspension by his arms and legs while attacked with electric prods. The abuse has reportedly driven him to attempt suicide.

Yang Tongyan (pen name: Yang Tianshui)

Dissident writer and member of Independent Chinese PEN Center, arrested without a warrant on December 23, 2005 in Nanjing and held incommunicado until January 27, 2006. Yang was convicted of subversion for posting anti-government articles on the internet and organizing branches of the China Democracy Party (CDP), and was sentenced to twelve years in prison. He is currently being held in Nanjing Prison in Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, and his diabetes is reportedly worsening in prison.

Yang Zili

Writer and computer engineer, arrested March 13, 2001 along with Xue Wei, Jin Haike, and Zhang Honghai after participating in the “Xin Qingnian Xuehui” (New Youth Study Group), an informal gathering of individuals concerned with political and economic inequalities who used the internet to circulate relevant articles. Yang was finally sentenced on May 28, 2003 to eight years in prison on charges of subversion.

Nurmuhemmet Yasin

PEN American Center Honorary Member

Freelance Uighur writer, arrested on November 29, 2004 for the publication for his short story Wild Pigeon (Yawa Kepter), which Chinese authorities consider to be a criticism of their government’s presence in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region. After a closed trial in February 2005 at which he was denied a lawyer, Yasin was sentenced to ten years in prison for “inciting Uighur separatism,” and is currently being held in Urumqi No. 1 Jail. He has been denied all visitors since his arrest.

Yu Huafeng

Deputy Editor-in-chief and general manager of the Guangzhou-based daily Nanfang Dushi Bao (Southern Metropolis News), arrested January 14, 2004 for alleged financial irregularities. Yu was sentenced to 12 years in prison, subsequently reduced to eight years on appeal, and then further reduced another two years and eight months. It has been reported that the evidence presented in court did not support the charges, and it is widely believed that that his imprisonment is part of a targeted campaign to silence the newspaper, which is known for its aggressive reporting on social issues and official corruption.

Yuan Qiuyan

Falun Gong member and internet publisher, sentenced on February 19, 2004 to ten years in prison for publishing an online publication which “tarnished the image of the government by broadcasting fabricated stories of persecution suffered by cult members.” The newsletter alleged ill-treatment in prison of a fellow Falun Gong member.

Zhang Honghai

Freelance writer, arrested March 13, 2001 along with Xue Wei, Jin Haike, and Yang Zili after participating in the “Xin Qingnian Xuehui” (New Youth Study Group), an informal gathering of individuals concerned with political and economic inequalities who used the internet to circulate relevant articles. Zhang was finally sentenced on May 28, 2003 to eight years in prison on charges of subversion.

Zhang Jianhong (pen name: Li Hong)

Freelance writer, playwright, poet and member of Independent Chinese PEN Center, arrested on September 6, 2006 and charged with “incitement to subversion of state power” for his critical articles published on overseas websites. Zhang was sentenced to six years in prison on March 19, 2007, and is being held in Changhu prison in Huzhou City. He is reportedly suffering from muscle necrosis, a condition that is deteriorating due to lack of adequate medical care. He applied for medical parole on May 31, 2007 but that application was denied.

Zhang Lin

Dissident writer, pro-democracy advocate and member of Independent Chinese PEN Center, arrested January 27, 2005 for a number of “subversive” articles he had written and subsequently posted on the internet between August 2003 and January 2005. Zhang was convicted of “incitement to subversion” by the Bangbu Intermediate People’s Court on July 28, 2005 and sentenced to five years in prison and four years’ deprivation of political rights. He is currently imprisoned in Nanjiao Prison in Hefei City, and is said to be very weak and suffering from several medical conditions.

Zheng Yichun

Poet, professor and freelance journalist, arrested December 3, 2004 in connection with 63 articles he had written for foreign-based publications and websites. Zheng was convicted of “incitement to subversion of state power” on July 21, 2005 and sentenced to seven years in prison and three years’ deprivation of political rights. He is currently being held in Jinzhou Prison, Jinzhou City, Liaoning Province, where he is suffering from diabetes.

Zhu Yufu

Internet writer, founder and editor of the China Democracy Party’s magazine, arrested April 18, 2007 and sentenced to two years in prison on July 10, 2007 after pushing a policeman during his arrest. Zhu is currently being held in Zhejiang No. 6 Prison in Haining City, Zhejiang Province. He had been released from in 2006 after seven years for his dissident activity.

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