International PEN Writers In Prison Committee
RAPID ACTION NETWORK
8 December 2004
RAN 55/04

The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN is seriously concerned about the arrest of journalist, poet and Independent Chinese PEN member Shi Tao on 24 November 2004. Shi Tao is believed to be accused of 'leaking state secrets overseas', although the reason for these allegations has not been made known. He is said to be held incommunicado and there are serious concerns for his well-being. International PEN fears that Shi Tao may be detained solely for the peaceful expression of his opinions, and therefore in contravention of Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration
of Human Rights. If this is the case, PEN calls for his immediate and unconditional release, and demands assurances that he is not ill-treated in detention.

According to PEN's information, writer Shi Tao was arrested without a warrant at his home in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, northwest China, by police from Changsha National Security Bureau, southern China, on 24 November 2004. They also confiscated his writings, computer and other personal belongings. He is believed to have been transferred to Changsha, Hunan Province, southern China, on suspicion of 'leaking state secrets overseas', although the foundation of these allegations has not been made known.

Shi Tao, aged 36, has worked as a freelance journalist for several newspapers including the Changsha-based daily Dangdai Shang Bao (Contemporary Trade News), which he left in May 2004 in order to return to his home city of Taiyuan. He has also written a number of articles, including political commentaries, for online forums, in particular the overseas Chinese web-site Min Zhu Lun Tan (Democracy Forum). He has published several books of poetry.

Please send appeals:
- Expressing serious concern about the arrest of journalist, poet and PEN member Shi Tao, and calling for his immediate and unconditional release if held in violation of Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights;

- Seeking assurances that he is not being ill-treated in detention, and urging that he be given access to family visits, legal representation and any necessary medical care whilst he is detained.

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 Cathy McCann at International PEN WiPC, 9/10 Charterhouse Buildings, Goswell Road, London EC1M 7AT, U.K. Tel: +44 (0)207 253 3226, fax: +44 (0)207 253 5711, email: cmccann@wipcpen.org