20 November 2007

CHINA: Writer, independent publisher and civil rights activist Yang Maodong (aka Guo Feixiong) sentenced to five years in prison

RAPID ACTION NETWORK
20 November 2007
Update #3 to RAN 35/06

The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN protests the five-year prison sentence handed down to Yang Maodong on 14 November 2007 for his critical writings. PEN reiterates its call for his immediate and unconditional release in accordance with Article 19 of the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which China is a signatory. It also seeks immediate reassurances that Yang Maodong is being treated humanely while in detention.

According to PEN’s information, Yang Maodong (aka Guo Feixiong), a well-known writer, independent publisher and civil rights activist, was sentenced to five-years in prison by the Tianhe District Court in the southern city of Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, on 14 November 2007. His trial opened on 9 July 2007, and the case was twice sent back by the district prosecutor for lack of evidence. He was found guilty of ‘illegal business activity’. The charges are believed to relate to a publication entitled Shenyang Political Earthquake, which exposed government corruption in Shenyang, Liaoning Province. He has been detained since 14 September 2006. There are reports that he has been repeatedly tortured in detention. Yang Maodong is held at Guangzhou City No.3 Detention Centre. 

Yang Maodong, aged 40, was previously detained on 12 September 2005 and held without charge until December 2005 for his involvement in and reporting of an anti-corruption campaign by villagers in Taishi Village, Guangdong Province. PEN campaigned for his release at that time (http://www.internationalpen.org.uk/index.php?pid=33&aid=393&return=33). Yang has since been subject to repeated harassment by the authorities, culminating in his arrest on 14 September 2006. Yang Maodong is the author of two novels and one collection of short stories. He has also published many essays, poems and articles.

Please send appeals:

- Expressing outrage at the five-year prison sentence handed to Yang Maodong; 
- Seeking assurances from the Chinese authorities that Yang Maodong is humanely treated while in detention;
- Calling for his immediate and unconditional release in accordance with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which China is a signatory;

Please note that there are no fax numbers for the Chinese authorities. WiPC recommends that you copy your appeal to the Chinese embassy in your country asking them to forward it and welcoming any comments.

Government addresses:
His Excellency Hu Jintao
President of the People’s Republic of China
State Council
Beijing 100032
P.R.China.

Procurator General Mr. Jia Chunwang 
Supreme People's Procuratorate
Beiheyan Street 147
100726 Beijing
P.R.China

Please note that fax numbers are no longer available for the Chinese authorities, so you may wish to ask the diplomatic representative for China in your country to forward your appeals.

Please copy appeals to the diplomatic representative for China in your country if possible.

**Please contact this office if sending appeals after 20 December 2007**

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

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