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Von:
Cathy McCann [m ai lto:Cathy.McCann@internationalpen.org.uk] CHINA:
Serious health concerns for four writers Xu Wei, Jin H ai ke, Yang Zili and
Zhang Hongh ai , after prolonged periods of detention; reports of
ill-treatment. RAPID
ACTION NETWORK 26 February
2008 Update
# 1 to RAN 29/03 CHINA:
Serious health concerns for four writers Xu Wei, Jin H ai ke, Yang Zili and
Zhang Hongh ai , after prolonged periods of detention; reports of
ill-treatment. The
Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN is seriously concerned by
recent reports of deteriorating health and lack of sufficient medical
treatment for det ai ned writers Xu Wei, Jin H ai ke, Yang Zili and Zhang
Hongh ai , who are all serving lengthy sentences on subversion charges for
their critical writings. PEN calls for them to be given all necessary
medical care as a matter of urgency, and is alarmed at reports that two of
the four have been ill-treated in detention. International PEN’s Writers
in Prison Committee considers all four to be det ai ned in violation of
Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to
which China is a signatory, and is calling for their immediate and
unconditional release. According
to PEN’s information, the four prisoners are all suffering from acute
medical problems, some of which do not appear to have been properly
diagnosed, and for which there are concerned that they are not receiving
appropriate medical attention. Jin H ai ke, who received abdominal surgery
in November 2007, is reportedly in acute p ai n. Zhang Hong Hia and Xu Wei
were reportedly subjected to ill-treatment in prison, leading Xu Wei to
stage hunger strikes in protest, exacerbating concerns for his well-being. Background According
to PEN’s information, Xu Wei, Jin H ai ke, Yang Zili and Zhang Hongh ai ,
reporter for Xiaofei Ribao (Consumer D ai ly), geologist and
writer, writer and computer engineer, and freelance writer respectively,
were arrested on 13 March 2001 and charged with ‘subversion’ as a result
of their participation 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 articles. On 28
September 2001, the Beijing Intermediate Court initiated legal proceedings
ag ai nst the four focusing on two essays circulated on the internet
entitled ‘Be a new citizen, reform China’ and ‘What’s to be done’,
which allegedly demonstrated the groups’ intention to "overthrow the
Chinese Communist Party’s leadership and the socialist system and subvert
the regime of the people’s democratic dictatorship". No verdict was
announced at the time, and proceedings ag ai nst the four writers
re-commenced on 21 April 2003. Lawyers for the four men argue that the f ai
lure to issue a verdict in the case violates China’s Criminal Procedure
Law, which stipulates that a court must pronounce judgement within six weeks
of accepting a case. On 28 May 2003 Xu Wei and Jin H ai ke were sentenced to
ten years in prison, and Yang Zili and Zhang Hongh ai to eight years, on
charges of subversion. Please
send appeals: ·
seeking assurances that all four are treated humanely in detention, and
granted access to necessary medical care and family visits. ·
protesting the lengthy prison sentences handed down to writers Xu Wei,
Jin H ai ke, Yang Zili and Zhang Hongh ai , solely for the peaceful
expression of their opinions, and calling for their immediate and
unconditional release, in accordance with the Chinese Criminal Procedure Law
and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
to which China is a signatory. 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 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. Please
copy appeals to the diplomatic representative for China in your country if
possible. **Please
contact the PEN WiPC office in London if sending appeals after 31 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, em ai l:
cathy.mccann@internationalpen.org.uk Cathy McCann Researcher, Asia/Middle East 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 www.internationalpen.org.uk
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