RAPID ACTION NETWORK
4 January 2005
RAN 55/04 Update #1

Two more writers are reported to have been arrested in China in recent days as part of an apparent crackdown against dissent in China. Writers academic Dr Li Boguang and Yang Tianshui are reported to remain detained after having been arrested on 14 December and 24 December 2004 respectively. International PEN is calling on the Chinese authorities to halt this apparent crackdown on dissent, and to adhere to the principle of freedom of expression, as guaranteed under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights.

Dr Li Boguang was arrested in Fu-an City, 350km south of Shanghai, near the coast on 14 December 2004, and on 21 December his home in Beijing, the capital of China, is said to have been searched by police officers from the Fu-an Public Security Bureau. Computers and papers were seized. It is not clear as to the reasons for Dr Li's arrest, but it is thought that it may be related to his activities in support of farmers' rights. The fact that Fu'an is far from the major cities is thought to be the reason for delays in reporting on Dr Li's arrest. Dr Li, age 36, a graduate in philosophy, political science and law, is director of the Qimin Research Centre in Beijing, as well as a freelance writer/journalist. In early 2004 he wrote an article entitled "Can Citizens Dismiss a Mayor" published in Modern Civilisation Pictorial, No 12 on calls by farmers for the resignation of a mayor they accused of corruption. This article, and Dr Li's subsequent activities in support of the farmers' case, is thought to be behind his arrest in December. In October 2004, Dr Li posted an article on the internet in which he said that he had been threatened with arrest should he return to Fu'an where he was helping farmers to petition against the central government in a dispute over land.

Yang Tianshui was arrested on 24 December 2004 in Hangzhou, some 100km south of Shanghai. On 31 December 2004, an arrest warrant was issued by the Baixia Branch of the Public Security Bureau, Nanjing City, stating that Yang had been transferred to Nanjing, 200km north of Hangzhou, on charges of "inciting subversion of state power". Yang, aged 43, is a freelance writer who reportedly served ten years in prison from 1990-2000 on charges of "counter revolution". He is said to have remained under an order of deprivation of civil rights for a further four years, during which time he reportedly was detained twice for violation of the conditions of the order. Most recent was a 15-day imprisonment from 27 May to 11 June 2004 for his writings commemorating the 15th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square democracy movement. Yang is a member of the Independent Chinese PEN Centre.

Recent months have seen a steady stream of writers, intellectuals and other dissidents being arrested and harassed. The BBC World Service cites an article by a "well known intellectual" as saying that "intellectuals were now terrified" and that that there were fears of "a return of totalitarianism to the mainland". It adds that the press has been ordered not to give publicity to several well-known intellectuals. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4094075.stm

See previous Rapid Action alert dated 15 December 2004 for details of arrests of other writers.

Recommended Action

Please send appeals:

¡¤ Expressing concern at the reported detention of Dr Li Boguang in Fu'an, and Yang Tianshui in Nanjing apparently because of the practice of their right to freedom of expression;
¡¤ Referring to growing concerns of a growing intolerance of dissident opinions, and a corresponding increased pattern of arrests and harassment of writers and intellectuals;
¡¤ Urging that the Chinese authorities halt this apparent crackdown on dissent, and to adhere to the principle of freedom of expression, as guaranteed under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which China is a signatory.

Appeals to:
His Excellency Hu Jintao
President of the People's Republic of China
State Council
Beijing 100032
P.R.China.

His Excellency Zhang Fusen
Minister of Justice
10 Chaoyangmen Nandajie
Chaoyang-qu
Beijing-shi 100020
P.R.China.

Please note that fax numbers are no longer available for the Chinese authorities, so you may wish to ask the diplomatic representative for China in your country to forward your appeals.

Please copy appeals to the diplomatic representative for China in your country if possible.

For further information please contact Sara Whyatt at the Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN, 9/10 Charterhouse Buildings, London EC1M 7AT, United Kingdom. Tel: +44 (0) 207 253 3226 Fax: +44 (0) 207 253 5711 email: swhyatt@wipcpen.org