According to our information, Du Daobin was arrested on 28 October 2003 in his home town of Yingcheng, Hubei Province on subversion charges. In mid-February his release was anticipated after the regional prosecutor referred the case back to police for lack of evidence. However, on 17 February he was formally charged with 'subversion' for articles he posted online. Du Daobin, aged thirty-nine, has been under close surveillance since 23 August 2003, when he was stopped by police at Wuhan train station whilst en route for Beijing and escorted back to his home town of Yingcheng. Du is a prominent and well-respected writer on social, political and cultural issues. His essays have been published on several Chinese-language overseas websites, including Dajiyuan (Epoch Times, www.dajiyuan.com) and Minzhu Luntan (Democracy Forum, www.asiademo.org). His arrest has reportedly generated unprecedented public condemnation in China. Prior to his arrest he worked for the Office of Administration of Medical Insurance in Yingcheng city, Hubei Province, central China.

International PEN Writers in Prison Committee welcomes the release of internet writer and Independent Chinese PEN member Du Daobin, but considers the sentence against him to violate Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and calls for the sentence to be revoked.

• Welcoming the release of internet writer and colleague Du Daobin, but calling for the sentence against him to be revoked in accordance with Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

• Expressing serious concern that Du Daobin's conviction appears to be part of an on-going government crackdown on Internet publishing in the People's Republic of China.