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Alert

Chinese dissident arrested for printing an Internet newsletter

(RSF/IFEX) - In a 3 September 1999 letter to Chinese Prime Minister Zhu
Rongji, RSF expressed its concern about the arrest of a dissident who wanted
to print an Internet newsletter. RSF considers the arrest of Qi Yanchen as a
violation of press freedom, guaranteed by the International Covenant of
Civil and Political Rights, which China has signed. RSF urged Zhu Rongji "to
ensure that Qi Yanchen is immediately released." The organisation also
appealed "for the end of control of the Internet by the Chinese authorities
and for the right of every Chinese citizen to inform and be informed through
the Internet."




RSF points out that the organisation classified China as one of the twenty
enemies of the Internet in the world (see report on www.rsf.fr).

According to news reports, Qi Yanchen was arrested on 2 September by the
police in Boutou (Hebei province, North) as he was going to print a
dissident Internet newsletter called "VIP Reference" (based in the United
States). He is said to be charged with subversion. Police seized his
computer, fax machine and printed notes. Richard Long, "VIP Reference"
founder, told news agencies that "the arrest is about the illegal spreading
of antigovernment messages via the Internet." Qi Yanchen is a member of the
China Development Union, an ecologist organisation, and has written articles
calling for political reforms.