9 December 2008

Alert

Leading PEN member detained on eve of Human Rights Day; fellow activist detained and released


Incident details

Liu Xiaobo, Zhang Zuhua

human rights worker(s)

(PEN American Center/IFEX) - The following is a PEN American Center press release:

Leading PEN Member Detained in China on Eve of Human Rights Day

New York, December 9, 2008 - PEN American Center expressed extreme dismay today over the detention of prominent dissident and leading PEN Member Dr. Liu Xiaobo on suspicion of "inciting subversion of state power," a criminal charge that could result in a lengthy prison term. His arrest comes amid a wave of detentions and other actions targeting leading writers and activists who have been organizing activities marking Human Rights Day.

According to PEN's information, police arrived at the homes of Dr. Liu, former president and current board member of the Independent Chinese PEN Center, and fellow activist Zhang Zuhua just after 9:00 p.m. on December 8. At 11:00 p.m., they took both men away and searched their homes, confiscating computers and other materials. While Zhang Zuhua was released this morning, Liu Xiaobo remains in detention. It appears likely he will stand trial on subversion charges, a favorite means of jailing dissident voices in China; if convicted, he could face at least three years in prison.

Both dissidents are co-signers of Charter 08, a declaration disseminated on the eve of Human Rights Day that outlines political reforms and calls for greater human rights and democracy in China.

Human Rights Day, which commemorates the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is celebrated throughout the world every year on December 10. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the creation of this cornerstone of international human rights law.

"The unfolding crackdown in China is deeply troubling," said Larry Siems, Director of Freedom to Write and International Programs at PEN American Center. "While the world comes together to commemorate the basic rights that are the birthright of all humanity, the detention of Dr. Liu Xiaobo in China and the harassment of his colleagues - simply for exercising their most fundamental rights - suggests that the Beijing Olympics did little to advance the basic rights of Chinese citizens. We strongly condemn Dr. Liu's detention, and call for his immediate and unconditional release."

Source:

PEN American Center
588 Broadway, #303
New York, NY 10012
USA
Phone: +1 212 334 1660 ext. 111
Fax: +1 212 334 2181
 

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Updates to this story

Human Rights Watch calls for release of Nobel laureate and others wrongly jailed, disappeared 7 October 2011 Media group bans journalists from speaking of Xiaobo case 13 December 2010 Get Liu Xiaobo out of prison in time for Nobel prize ceremony 10 November 2010 RSF calls for Liu Xiaobo's release as Chinese president makes state visit to France 8 November 2010 Harassment and propaganda in the three weeks since the Nobel announcement 29 October 2010 IFJ concerned about serious restrictions placed on journalists reporting on Liu and Chen cases 20 October 2010 Arrests, censorship and propaganda in reaction to Liu Xiaobo's Nobel Peace Prize 15 October 2010 News blackout on Liu Xiaobo's Nobel Peace Prize 12 October 2010 Liu Xiaobo, imprisoned Chinese writer, wins Nobel Peace Prize 8 October 2010 Liu Xiaobo transferred to remote prison in Liaoning Province 3 June 2010 Scholars and writers press for Liu Xiaobo's release 12 March 2010 IFJ demands immediate release of Liu Xiaobo 12 February 2010 PEN American Center president calls sentencing of Liu Xiaobo a "mockery" and a "scandal" 29 December 2009 Detained writer Liu Xiaobo formally indicted 11 December 2009 After one year in detention, prominent dissident's fate still uncertain 4 December 2009 PEN applauds passage of US congressional resolution for writer Liu Xiaobo 6 October 2009 Activist Liu Xiaobo formally charged, could spend 15 years in jail 29 June 2009 Imprisoned writer Liu Xiaobo to receive top PEN honour 22 April 2009 Further details emerge about detained journalist 12 December 2008

China

Senior newspaper staff fired for reporting inflation concerns 6 February 2012 IFJ urges authorities to uphold post-Olympic press freedom promises 3 February 2012 Authorities urged to refrain from using excessive force against protesters 27 January 2012 PEN protests charges against Zhu Yufu, insisting "poetry is not a crime" 19 January 2012 Cyber-dissident gets long jail term for "subversive" articles 3 January 2012 See all alerts: China


 
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