Category Archives: Writers

China’s Independent NGOs Face Hard Times

A translation of a VOA report in Chinese, published: March 11, 2015

Professor Xia Min of CUNY: “Xi’s fear is exactly that the maturing of civil society will organically provide, with the organizing capacity and solidarity within Chinese society, a platform for the building of political parties.”

A documentary produced by the well-known investigative journalist Chai Jing, Continue reading

Saudi Arabia: Imprisoned editor Raif Badawi may face death penalty

According to unconfirmed reports, Raif (or Raef) Badawi, who was sentenced by a Saudi Arabian court to 10 years in prison, 1,000 lashes , a fine, a 10-year travel ban and 10-year media participation ban for “insulting Islam” and “founding a liberal website”, may now face a retrial for Continue reading

Finalists for the 2015 Front Line Defenders Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk

3093-45Jury announces the Finalists for the 2015 Front Line Defenders AwardJury announces the Finalists for the 2015 Front Line Defenders Award

On Wednesday 04 March the Jury for the 2015 Front Line Defenders Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk announced the 5 finalists for this year’s Award, all of whom are either in jail, Continue reading

China: Writers and Publishers arrested in a New Wave of Repression

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He Zhengjun, director of the Transition Institute and prominent writer Xu Xiao were both detained on November 26, along with Xue Ye and Liu Jianshu, a sign of growing suppression against government critics in China. Continue reading

Kazakhstan: Aron Atabek denied medical treatment

Posted June 23rd, 2014 by English PEN staff & filed under Campaigns.

PEN is deeply concerned at reports that the Kazakh prison authorities are denying medical treatment to imprisoned poet Aron Atabek

Poet Aron Atabek is reportedly suffering intense spine and leg pain due to injuries sustained during an assault by Continue reading

Petition for Medical Parole Based on He De Pu’s Health Condition

12/25/05

To the Leadership at the Beijing Prison Administrative Bureau and Beijing Prison No. 2:

My husband, He De Pu, is serving his sentence at Beijing Prison No. 2, Group No. 17.

Since his arrest in 2002, He De Pu has suffered inhumane treatment, causing his weight to drop from 78 kg to 60 kg. And more seriously, his left ear lost most of its hearing capacity. For the past three years, he has also suffered from high blood pressure, and his overall health has been very poor. Although some of the internet articles once mentioned that He De Pu was tortured in Beijing Prison No.2, we have publicly clarified that this torture happened in several “surveillance houses”, not in Beijing Prison No. 2.

We are his family members. Thus, we are extremely concerned about his health. I am especially worried that due to the inadequate medical care that my husband receives in jail, he might miss the crucial period for early treatment for his hearing problem, so that his left ear could lose hearing completely and permanently. Moreover, his high blood pressure could lead to more serious health problems if it is not treated effectively.

Therefore, I, He De Pu’s wife, earnestly wish to request a medical parole for my husband.

As is well-known, under the leadership of the Beijing Prison Administrative Bureau, Beijing Prison No. 2 has been trying to implement policies based on “the principle of humanity”. In particular, we have learned of this desire to show progress from the United Nations’ human rights reports. With the permission of the Ministry of Justice, the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Mr. Nowak, came to Beijing Prison No. 2 and talked with He De Pu for an extended period of time. Afterwards, Mr. Nowak said in public: “I was deeply touched by the conversation I had with the Chinese dissident He De Pu.”

We, He De Pu’s family members, also know that the Beijing Prison Administrative Bureau and Beijing Prison No. 2 provided much assistance and cooperation in facilitating the visit of the UN Special Rapporteur. This moved us very much. The international community has also applauded and praised your cooperation.

Since the Peoples Republic of China signed the United Nations International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, authorities at all levels have been trying to improve human rights condition in our country, and some progress has been made. I believe that granting He De Pu medical parole is another step toward this direction and will also win international commendation.

Once again, I respectfully plead with the leaders at Beijing Prison Administrative Bureau and Beijing Prison No. 2 to please grant medical parole for He De Pu.

I look forward to your approval.

Jia Jian Ying

Wife of He De Pu