Monthly Archives: 3 月 2016

Book Says Zhou Enlai, Chinese Premier, May Have Been Gay

By MICHAEL FORSYTHE

Zhou Enlai

Zhou Enlai, the first premier of the People’s Republic of China, in 1973. A new book offers a radical reinterpretation of Zhou’s life: He was probably gay. Credit Sovfoto/Universal Images Group, via Getty Images

HONG KONG — He was a towering figure of the 20th century, instrumental in building the Chinese Communist Party from the battlefield to the halls of power. He worked alongside Mao Zedong for decades, and was revered for his rich intellect and even temperament. Continue reading

Tienchi Martin-Liao: “Global Citizen” or “Dissident Writer”?: An Impolite Question to Gao Xingjian

Gao Xingjian

Chinese writer and Nobel Prize winner Gao Xingjian. Image via Wikimedia Commons.

For a writer in exile, the past informs a present role that is essential to preserving history.

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140. RAO WENWEI (released)

Rao WenhuiPen name                 Mao.2W

Sex                                Male

Birth date                1967-01-13

Birth place              Shizhu County, Chongqing City Continue reading

Chinese Attorneys, Relatives Demand Public Inquiry Into Lawyers’ Detentions

The defense attorney for jailed rights lawyer Li Heping

The defense attorney for jailed rights lawyer Li Heping discovered he was relieved of duty when he visited his client in detention, Feb. 18, 2016. Photo courtesy of an RFA listener.

The relatives and defense lawyers of 19 human rights lawyers currently facing subversion charges have written to China’s parliament, the National People’s Congress (NPC), calling for an independent inquiry into breaches of legal process in the handling of their cases. Continue reading

On World Poetry Day Take Action for Dissident Poets

World Poetry Day, marked each year on 21 March, is an opportunity to celebrate poetry, the power and creativity of language and to promote reading, writing, publishing, and teaching poetry throughout the world. PEN International uses this day to highlight the great challenges poets face across the globe simply for their work. Each year PEN focuses its campaigning on behalf of poets who have paid a high price for their poetry and ask Centres, PEN members and supporters to take action on their behalf. Continue reading

Tibetan Writers Abroad PEN Centre mark International Women’s Day

8 March 2016 – Tibetan Writers Abroad PEN Centre marked International Women’s Day by holding a workshop at Dolmaling Nunnery in Dharamasala, India with over 250 female participants. Speakers at the conference included five Tibetan women writers and three nun writers, exploring issues relating to freedom of expression and dangers facing women writers, including PEN International’s focus cases Fatima Naoot, Mahvash Sabet and Narges Mohammadi. Continue reading

Nobel Laureates on Human Rights – A view from civil society

Friday 11 March 2016, 12:00 – 14:00

Nobel Laureates on Human Rights – A view from civil society

Panel discussion hosted by the Permanent Missions of the United States and Canada

Auditorium Ivan Pictet
Maison de la paix, Geneva

Hosted by the Permanent Missions of the United States and Canada, this is a side event of the UN Human Rights Council’s 31st session.

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Chinese magazine challenges government over censorship

Weeks after Xi Jinping demanded loyalty from media, Caixin claims it was ordered to remove interview on free speech

Xi Jinping visiting CCTV

Xi Jinping visiting China Central Television (CCTV) in Beijing on 19 February, where he demanded absolute loyalty from Chinese media. Photograph: Ma Zhancheng/AP

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