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7 September 2007
ACTION NETWORK
Update #1 to RAN 30/07
CHINA: Leading dissident writer Chen Shuqing sentenced to four years in prison
The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN protests the four-year sentence handed down to leading dissident writer Chen Shuqing on 14 August 2007. PEN considers Chen Shuqing to be detained in violation of Article 19 of the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which China is a signatory, and calls for his immediate and unconditional release.
According to PEN¨s information, Chen Shuqing, a dissident writer and leading member of the Zhejiang Branch of the banned Chinese Democratic Party (CDP), was sentenced to four years in prison and one year¨s deprivation of political rights on charges of ｀inciting the government¨s overthrow¨. Chen Shuqing was reportedly convicted following the publication of seven articles on the banned magazine of the CDP and on overseas websites Boxun, Dajiyan (Epoch Times), Zhongguo Shiwu Luntan (China Affairs Forum), Yi Bao (China E Weekly) and Duowei Xinwen (Duowei News).
Chen Shuqing was first arrested on 14 September 2006 on subversion charges. His case has twice been handed back to the police for lack of evidence. He went voluntarily to the Daguan Police Station, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province after receiving a police summons, and following his arrest police raided his home and took away his computer and some documents. Chen is known for his critical articles published on various overseas Chinese websites such as Boxun, Minzhu Luntan, Dajiyuan, Yi Bao, Guancha, and Xin Shiji.
Chen, aged 42, was previously detained in 1999 for 4 months for his role in the setting up the banned Chinese Democratic Party. After his release, he trained to become a lawyer, but in 2005, after passing his exams, he was refused a lawyer¨s licence by the Justice Bureau of Zhejiang Province, who alleged his articles published online had violated China¨s Constitution. Chen challenged this ruling in court, but lost the case in both the lower and the appeal courts. He has since been subject to police harassment.
Please send appeals:
- Protesting the four-year sentence handed down to Chen Shuqing for his critical writings, and calling 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;
- Urging the authorities to respect his basic rights whilst detained and to grant him full access to his family, lawyer and any necessary medical care.
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 30 September 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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