RAPID ACTION NETWORK
18 January 2010
RAN 6/10
CHINA: Writer and Independent Chinese PEN Officer Zhao Shiying Detained
International PENs Writers in Prison Committee condemns the detention of Zhao Shiying, Secretary General of the Independent Chinese PEN Centre (ICPC), who was arrested on 11 January 2010. He is being held incommunicado without charge, and there are fears that he is held for his dissident writings and activities. International PENs Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) is shocked by the arrest of another leading ICPC member, and seeks details of any charges against Zhao Shiyang as a matter or urgency. It demands the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained in violation of Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which China is a signatory.
American PEN gives the following background:
Zhao Shiying, pen name Zhao Dagong, is a well-known dissident writer and human rights defender from Shenzhen. He joined the Independent Chinese PEN Center in 2004, and has been a member of its Board since 2005. In October 2009, Zhao become ICPCs Secretary General. He has been regularly harassed by police since December 2008, but this is the first time that his home has been searched and materials confiscated.
According to PENs information, at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, January 11, ten police officers entered Zhaos home and searched the premises, confiscating two computers, books, and notes. Following the search, which lasted more than seven hours, Zhao, his wife, and his son were taken to the local police station. His wife and son were released around 9:00 p.m. that same night, but were warned not to disclose the content of their questioning. The two were again called in for questioning the following evening, but were released the same night. Zhao Shiying remains in detention.
PEN fears that Zhao is being held for his very public support for former ICPC President Liu Xiaobo, who was sentenced to 11 years in prison on December 25, 2009, for inciting subversion of state power in six articles he had written and his involvement in Charter 08. Zhao is also an original signatory of the Charter, and was questioned about his communications with Liu regarding the Charters content. Zhaos answers were used in the Beijing Procuratorates verdict against Liu.
According to PENs information, Zhao Shiyang has been interrogated several times since December 2008 about his involvement with dissident writer Liu Xiaobo, and his statements were included in the Court Verdict against Liu. On 27 December 2009, Zhao Shiyang published an online essay entitled Liu Xiaobo’s Banner ! Birthday Wishes to Liu Xiaobo in which he reaffirmed his willingness to share responsibility with Liu for the publishing of Charter 08 (see attached). There are fears that Zhaos arrest is part of a crackdown on signatories of Charter 08 and on the Independent Chinese PEN Centre.
For further background on the sentencing of Liu Xiaobo and Charter 08 click here: http://www.internationalpen.org.uk/go/news/international-pen-calls-liu-xiaobo-s-sentence-a-grievous-betrayal-of-inalienable-human-rights
Please send appeals:
– Expressing serious concern about the arrest of leading dissident writer and activist Zhao Shiying, and seeking further details of any charges against him;
– &nsp; Calling for his immediate and unconditional release if held in violation of Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which China is a signatory.
Send appeals to:
His Excellency Hu Jintao
President of the Peoples Republic of China
State Council
Beijing 100032
P.R. China
Mr. Meng Jianzhu
Minister of the Public Security
East Chang’an Avenue 14
100741 Beijing
P.R. China
Please note that there are no fax numbers for the Chinese authorities. WiPC recommends that you copy your appeal to the Chinese embassy in your country asking them to forward it and welcoming any comments.
Please copy appeals to the diplomatic representative for China in your country if possible.
**Please contact the PEN WiPC office in London if sending appeals after 28 February 2010**
For further information please contact Cathy McCann at International PEN Writers in Prison Committee, Brownlow House, 50/51 High Holborn, London WC1V 6ER, Tel.+ 44 (0) 20 7405 0338, Fax: +44 (0) 20 7405 0339, email: [email protected]
Cathy McCann
Researcher, Asia/Middle East
International PEN Writers in Prison Committee
Brownlow House
50-51 High Holborn
London WC1V 6ER.
Tel.+44 (0)20 7405 0338
Fax: +44 (0)20 7405 0339
www.internationalpen.org.uk
International PEN is a UK Registered Charity No. 1117088 and a Company Registered in England No. 05683997, Registered Office: Brownlow House, 50/51High Holborn, London WC1V 6ER