Document - China: Further information on Fear of further torture and ill treatment/arbitrary detention
PUBLIC AI Index: ASA 17/071/2008
3 April 2008
Further Information on UA 01/08 (ASA 17/035/2008, 2 January 2008) and follow-up (ASA 17/047/2008, 1 February 2008) – Fear of further torture and ill treatment/arbitrary detention
CHINA Hu Jia (m), aged 34, prisoner of conscience
Zeng Jinyan (f), aged 24
Hu Jia was sentenced on 3 April to three years and six months' imprisonment and one year’s deprivation of political rights for “inciting subversion of state power” by the Beijing Municipal No. 1 Intermediate People's
Court. His lawyers were present at the hearing, as were his mother and his wife, activist Zeng Jinyan.
The authorities appear to have jailed Hu Jia in order to prevent him from continuing with his peaceful human rights activities, and to silence his public criticism of China’s human rights record ahead of the Beijing Olympics. Amnesty International considers Hu Jia a prisoner of conscience, jailed solely for exercising his right to freedom of expression.
The verdict demonstrates that promises made by Chinese officials that human rights would improve in the run-up to the Olympics remain unfulfilled. It also serves as a warning to other activists in China.
Hu Jia was detained on 27 December 2007 and formally charged on 28 January 2008. In custody awaiting trial, Hu Jia was denied access to his lawyers and his family. He was also denied medical treatment, including the daily medication he needs to combat Hepatitis B. He was kept under house arrest for months before he was formally detained. Zeng Jinyan and their new-born daughter are still under house arrest, and their telephone line and internet connection have been cut.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English, Chinese or your own language:
- expressing deep concern that Hu Jia has been imprisoned solely for engaging in peaceful and legitimate human rights activities and in violation of his fundamental right to freedom of expression;
- calling on the authorities to release him immediately and unconditionally, as he is a prisoner of conscience;
- urging the authorities to stop police surveillance and harassment of Zeng Jinyan and allow her to contact the outside world in line with her fundamental rights to freedom of movement, expression and association;
- expressing deep concern that detaining, trying and sentencing human rights activists for their peaceful activities runs counter to promises made by numerous Chinese officials that human rights would improve in the run-up tothe Beijing Olympics of August 2008.
APPEALS TO:
Prime Minister
WEN Jiabao Guojia Zonglifi
The State Council General Office
2 Fuyoujie
Zichengqu
Beijingshi 100017
People’s Republic of China
Fax: +86 10 65961109 (c/o Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Salutation: Your Exellency
Minister of Justice
WU Aiying Buzhang
Sifabu
10 Chaoyangment Nandajie
Beijingshi 100020
People’s Republic of China
Fax: +86 10 65292345
Email: minister@legalinfo.gov.cn
pfmaster@legalinfo.gov.cn
Salutation: Dear Minister
Minister of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China
MENG Jianzhu Buzhang
Gong’anbu
14 Dongchang-anjie
Dongchengqu
Beijingshi 100741
People’s Republic of China
Fax: +86 63099216 (it may be difficult to get through, please keep trying)
Salutation: Your Exellency
COPIES TO:
Director of the Beijing Public Security Bureau
MA Zhenchuan Juzhang
Beijingshi Gong’anju
9 Qianmen Dongdajie
Dongchengqu
Beijingshi 100740
People’s Republic of China
Fax: +86 10 85222329
Email: wbjc@sohu.com
Salutation: Dear Director
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 15 April 2008.