Author Archives: editor

PEN for Freedom No. 9

ICPC Quarterly Spring Issue 2012 (PDF)

Chinese Original

ICPC Statement to Protest Severe Sentence of Its Member Zhu Yufu

10 February, 2012

Independent Chinese PEN Centre (ICPC) is alarmed to have learnt that its member Mr. ZHU Yufu has been sentenced this afternoon by Hangzhou Intermediate People’s Court, Zhejiang Province in eastern China, to 7 years imprisonment with further 3 years deprivation of political rights for “inciting subversion of the state power “ after the trial on 31 January. The conviction based on his speech published in the overseas Chinese websites, and interviews with the foreign media and collecting money for other prisoners of conscience.

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PEN for Freedom No. 8

ICPC Quarterly Winter Issue 2011 (PDF)

Chinese Original

CHINA: Another writer handed down a lengthy prison term

RAPID ACTION NETWORK
6 January 2012
RAN 01/12

CHINA: Another writer handed down a lengthy prison term

The Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of PEN International is dismayed at the conviction of another Chinese writer on subversion charges. Dissident writer Chen Xi was sentenced to ten years in prison on 26 December 2011 for ‘inciting subversion of state power’ in essays published online on overseas websites. Continue reading

Missing Chinese Lawyer Said to Be in Remote Prison

The New York Times

BEIJING — The brother of a prominent dissident rights lawyer who had been missing for 20 months said Sunday that the lawyer, Gao Zhisheng, was being held in a prison in the remote western region of Xinjiang.

Gao Zhisheng has been jailed in Xinjiang, his brother says. Continue reading

PEN Condemns Year-End Convictions of Two Chinese Writers

PEN American

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information contact:
Larry Siems, (212) 334-1660 ext. 105

New York City, December 27, 2011—PEN American Center reacted angrily to the news that the Chinese government has again used the cover of the year-end holidays to try and sentence two writers to long prison terms for essays they published on overseas websites, calling the timing of the convictions “deliberate and cynical.” Continue reading

CHINA: Writer Chen Wei Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison

RAN 66/11 23 December 2011

The Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of PEN International condemns the imprisonment of the writer Chen Wei. An honorary member of the Independent Chinese PEN Centre and winner of the Liu Xiaobo Courage to Write award, Chen Wei was sentenced on 23 December 2011 to nine years in prison for ‘subversive writing.’ The conviction is based on articles published on Chinese websites overseas. The WiPC calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Chen Wei. Continue reading

Condolence to Mr. Václav Havel from the Independent Chinese PEN Center

Dear Jiri, dear Igor and the friends of the Czech PEN,

The Independent Chinese PEN (ICPC), my Chinese colleagues and I are deeply saddened that Mr. Václav Havel has passed away on December 18th.

Mr. Havel was a great humanist. His humanity illuminated both his literary and political achievements. As a past victim of the communist-dictatorship, he set up an example, how powerful a powerless is in fighting for the freedom and human dignity.Havel’s spirit and courage have inspired generations of Chinese intellectuals. People devour his books and speeches. The former president of ICPC, Mr. Liu Xiaobo,has been a follower of Mr. Havel ever since he was a young writer in the 80s. He has modeled Charter 77 and initiated with others the Charter 08 in searching for a democratic future of China in 2008. After Liu’s arrest and sentence, Mr. Havel has shown his solidarity with Liu Xiaobo and appealed repeatedly for his release. He also nominated Liu to Noble Peace Prize. On December 10th this year, despite his bad health, Mr. Havel still lauched the Forum 2000 Conference in Prague, a roundtable focused on the democracy and human rights situation in Asia as well as in commemoration of the first anniversary of the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Liu Xiaobo.The world and the Chinese intellectuals will keep Václav Havel in their memory as paragon and friend. The world becomes more beautiful and dignified because of you.

In deep condolence and gratitude

Tienchi Martin-Liao

President of the Independent Chinese PEN Center
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