11 December 2007

CHINA: Leading writers from China and North America mark International Human Rights Day (10 December).

To mark International Human Rights Day (10 December), the American, Canadian and Independent Chinese PEN Centres called for the release of forty writers detained in the People’s Republic of China in the launch of their "We Are for Freedom of Expression Campaign" that will monitor and protest detentions of writers and journalists in China in the run-up to the Olympic Games.

International PEN centres worldwide are being invited to join their colleagues in protesting the detention of all writers detained in China in violation of their right to free expression, as guaranteed under Article 19 of the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which China is a signatory. Visit We Are For Freedom of Expression Campaign to see information on writers and journalists in detention, and for advice on sending appeals to the Chinese authorities.

　

China has long been a major concern for International PEN as a country that has consistently held among the highest numbers of writers and journalists in prison.

Former prisoners consistently report high levels of ill-treatment and medical neglect in Chinese prisons, which adds to PEN’s concerns for the welfare of those detained.

As the 2008 Olympic Games nears, International PEN members are urging the Chinese authorities to demonstrate their commitment to free expression by releasing immediately and unconditionally all writers detained solely for their peaceful dissent.

International PEN will be coordinating PEN Centre campaigns to promote freedom of expression in China which will gain momentum as from March 2008.

For further information please contact Cathy McCann at International PEN Writers in Prison Committee, Brownlow House, 50/51 High Holborn, London WC1V 6ER, Tel.+ 44 (0) 20 7405 0338, Fax: +44 (0) 20 7405 0339, email: cathy.mccann@internationalpen.org.uk