May 4, 2005 Urgent Open letter to Premier Weng Jiabao for the case of illegal detention of Xu Wanping by Zhongqin Police

Honorable Premier Weng, 

SOS! SOS! This is an emergent call. the police of Chongqin violates the citizen's right of famous democratic activist Mr. Xu Wanping. We ask that you start investigating this case, take legal action and force the police to release Xu Wanping immediately. 

At 8 a.m. on April 30, two policemen took Xu Wanping away from his home at Chongqin city, Dadukou district, Jiguang Village, No. 141-1. At 11 a.m., Xu was taken back by a group of about 10 policemen led by Li Ming of Chongqin police. Without showing any permission to his family, they searched his home and confiscated possessions, including his personal computer, documents and a personal checkbook belonging to his wife. Then they took him to custody at noon by using the excuse of "an oral summon to court". 

However, this "oral summon" has been extended more than 100 hours as of the night of May 4 without end and has in fact become secret detention, because Mr. Xu's wife Chen Xianying couldn't get where about and the reason for his detention ever during this period. She has called to the police many time and even went to the police station but was always refused to be disclose any information. On May 3, Ms. Chen called the police station and was told that she had to wait for addtion 15 to 20 days before she could get a clear answer. This is rediculous! This is unreasonable! We don't understand how the legally allowed 12 hour oral summon could be abused to become 3 days or even 15 to 20 days? If the police has change their reason from oral summon to detention, they still must follow the law, rather than doing this under the table. Even for detention, our law requires that the family must be formally informed of the reason of detention, location, time, time limit. Unfortunately, the Chongqin police is so legal illiterated. Don't they know this common sense of the Chinese law? If they do, how can they dare to violate this legal requirement? 

Search without search permission is obvious illegal; detention without informing his family about the location, period, reason is of course a violation of the Chinese law. The citizen's freedom and his legal belonging are protect by law. Police must strictly follow the law. Any violation must be corrected immediately when found. Otherwise, the reverence and authority of the law become nonsense; the country will not have a law to follow, the society will become a chaos. 

Therefore, we strongly protest the illegal search and confiscation by Chongqin police! 

Therefore, we strongly protest the illegal detention by Chongqin police using the excuse of an oral summon! 

We therefore strongly call the attention of Premier Weng to take action based on fairness and apply the basic constitution that "All citizens of the People's Republic of China are equal before the law", "restriction of citizens freedom of the person by other means is prohibited" and the "Respect and protection of fundamental human rights by the nation", immediately interfere the violation of the local police, immediately stop their illegal action, clearlly order the Chongqin police to release Xu Wanping. 

We therefore strongly call the attention of Premier Weng that although the tragic of Mr. Xu Wanping is only a case among many violation of the law by the legal system nationwide, it is a typical symbol and must be corrected fairly. Yes, Mr. Xu is indeed a democratic activist. But while our country is moving torward democracy slowly, isn't it our goal to set up a democracic system? It is because Mr. Xu is a famous democratic activist with reputation overseas, our government must treat the case with extra care, for otherwise it will demange the reputation of our government and slow down the cause of reform undergoing. Moreover, Mr. Xu has lost freedom twice total of 11 years for the democratic reform of our country. For this reason, he should be treated fairly and friendly. Fairly treating him means the conscience of ourselves and the future of our country. Therefore, you must get involved no matter how busy you are. Mr. Xu must be freed immediately and without condition! Thank you! 

Sincerely, 

Chinese citizens: Yang Tianshui, Zeng Ning, Che Hongnian, Dai Xuewu, Li Yunsheng, Li Guotao, etc. (and more signatures) 

May 4, 2005