Documento - 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.