Document - China: Further information: Wang Yonghang formally arrested
Further information on UA: 201/09 Index: ASA 17/050/2009 China Date: 28 August 2009
URGENT ACTION
wang yonghang formally arrested
Human rights lawyer Wang Yonghang, who has been detained incommunicado since 5 July, was formally arrested on 10 August. His lawyers said torture in custody had caused multiple fractures in his right ankle. Police have refused to let him meet his lawyers or family, on the grounds that the "case involves state secrets."
Police confirmed Wang’s ankle fracture to his wife, Yu Xiaoyan, on 27 July, but did not send him to hospital until 11 August, by which timehis ankle was seriously infected. That day, police presented Yu Xiaoyan with an arrest notice forher husband timed at 3pm on 10 August. The chargewas "using superstitious sects to undermine implementation of laws or administrative regulations."
Wang Yonghang is known to have been beaten during interrogation; he is held at Dalian City Police Detention Centre.
PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in Mandarin or your own language:
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Calling on the authorities to release Wang Yonghang immediately and unconditionally, as he is a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression and association, while working as a lawyer;
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Urging the authorities to investigate and punish anyone who tortured Wang Yonghang, and guarantee that he will not face further torture or other ill-treatment;
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Calling on the authorities to ensure that he has immediate access to legal assistance of his choice, his family and any medical treatment he may require;
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Urging them to take effective measures to ensure that all human rights defenders can carry out their peaceful activities without fear of arbitrary detention, imprisonment or intimidation, in line with the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 9 OCTOBER 2009 TO:
Director, Liaoning Provincial Department of Public Security
LI Wenxi Tingzhang
Liaoningsheng Gong'anting
2 Qishan Zhonglu
Huangguqu
Shenyangshi 110032
Liaoningsheng
People's Republic of China
Salutation: Dear Director
Acting Governor, Liaoning Province
CHEN Zhenggao Daili Shengzhang
Liaoningsheng Renmin Zhengfu
45 Beilingdajie
Huangguqu
Shenyangshi 110032
Liaoningsheng
People's Republic of China
Email: Insfxxc@ln.gov.cn
Salutation: Dear Governor
And copies to:
Prime Minister
WEN Jiabao Guojia Zongli
The State Council General Office
2 Fuyoujie
Xichengqu
Beijingshi 100017
People's Republic of China
Fax: +86 10 65961109
Salutation: Your Excellency
Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date. This is the first update of UA: 201/09 Index: ASA 17/036/2009. Further information: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/ASA17/036/2009/en
URGENT ACTION
wang yonghang formally arrested
ADditional Information
Human rights lawyers in China are harassed, assaulted, kept under surveillance and face criminal charges for protecting the rights of others. There are more than 140,000 lawyers and 14,000 law firms in China but few take the risk of representing victims of human rights violations, such as Falun Gong practitioners. They risk having their licenses revoked and could even face imprisonment.
Further information on UA: 201/09 Index: ASA 17/050/2009 Issue Date: 28 August 2009
