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Internet essayist Du Daobin formally charged with "inciting subversion"

(RSF/IFEX) - The Chinese authorities have formalised the arrest of detained Internet essayist Du Daobin, charging him with "inciting subversion of the state and the overthrow of the Chinese socialist system" in some 30 articles he posted online.

"There is absolutely no justification for imprisoning people who simply share their ideas on the Internet," RSF said, while accusing the Chinese authorities of "obstinately refusing to respect free expression." The organisation pointed out that free expression is supposed to be protected under Article 35 of the Chinese Constitution. The organisation urged all Internet users to sign a petition in support of Du Daobin, which can be found on RSF's website (www.rsf.org).

The charges were announced by the Bureau for Public Security in the eastern province of Hubei. It is the first official measure to be adopted by the government since Du Daobin's arrest on 28 October 2003. Just a few days ago, his release had seemed imminent, when the regional prosecutor referred the case back to police for lack of evidence.

The authorities claim that Du Daobin, aged 40, exceeded the right to criticise the government in his articles calling peacefully for more democracy, which he posted online. He also called for the release of fellow cyber-dissident Liu Di, who was released on 28 November for lack of evidence, and criticised the proposed amendments to Article 23 of Hong Kong's Constitution, which threatened free expression in the former British colony.

The petition calling for Du Daobin's release, which was launched by Chinese intellectuals and journalists, has already garnered about 1,000 signatures. It will be submitted to the Chinese authorities on 1 March 2004.