China Human Rights Briefing February 16-28, 2009
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Reporting human rights development from the grassroots
February 16-28, 2009
HIGHLIGHTS
- While US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton publicly slighted human rights issues in statements made during her first visit to China, Beijing police were hard at work behind the scenes, cracking down on both longtime activists and common petitioners. A number of activists, including Zhang Zuhua, Jiang Qisheng, Pu Zhiqiang, Zeng Jinyan, and Duang Chunfang were placed under surveillance, questioned, or followed during her visit. In an indicative case, Wang Shixiang, a petitioner and former business owner from Anhui Province was beaten and detained for attempting to appeal to Clinton.
- With the “Two Meetings” of the National People’s Congress and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference scheduled to begin in the capital on March 3, Beijing police are set to intercept or round up petitioners, who have been arriving in the tens of thousands in hopes of having their grievances heard by the central government. CHRD has documented an appalling number of cases of local police and interceptors harassing, detaining, and physically assaulting these petitioners.
- Police around the country continue to question and intimidate signatories of Charter 08, in some cases repeatedly. Authorities seem determined to track down other key organizers of this public petitioning campaign for human rights and democratic reform, or to collect “evidence” against detained dissident writer Liu Xiaobo.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Crackdown Continues; Liu Xiaobo Remains in Detention. 4
2. Beijing Resident Questioned about “Charter 08” shirts. 4
Right to Liberty and Security of Person. 4
1. Activist Deng Yongliang Forcibly Returned to Xian. 4
2. Shanghai Activists Kidnapped in Beijing. 5
3. Retired Judge in Xinjiang Detained for Advocating Health Rights of Veterans. 5
4. Guangdong Activist Threatened, Disappears. 5
1. Activists Put under House Arrest as Clinton Arrives in China. 6
2. Police Intercept Zhejiang Activist’s Phone Calls. 6
Incarcerated and Imprisoned Activists. 6
1. RTL Detainee’s Administrative Review Rejected. 6
2. Yuan Xianchen in Serious Condition, Denied Visits. 7
3. Imprisoned Activist Still Denied Medical Care. 7
4. Incarcerated Activist Denied Care, in Grave Condition. 7
5. Petitioner and Activist Liu Jie’s RTL Term Extended. 7
6. Hu Jia Meets with Family for First Time in Over Three Months. 8
1. Members of Wenzhou Dispossessed Farmers’ Group Summoned After Presenting Petition. 8
2. Hunan Petitioner Forcibly Returned, Detained. 8
3. Hunan Petitioners Detained, Beaten. 9
4. Shandong Substitute Teacher Threatened for Petitioning. 9
5. Xinjiang Workers’ Representatives Prevented from Traveling to Petition. 9
6. Ningxia Petitioners Detained, Forcibly Returned. 9
7. Ten Thousand Former Bank Employees Gather to Petition in Beijing. 10
8. Petitioner Detained and Beaten for Attempting to Appeal to Clinton. 10
9. Xinhui District Police Harass Families of Vaccine Victims. 10
10. Crowds of Petitioners Arrive in Beijing Ahead of Two Meetings. 11
Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment. 11
1. Changchun Petitioners Beaten. 11
1. Zhejiang Writer Summoned, Fined. 12
2. CRLW Site Interfered With by Internet Authorities. 12
3. Spanish TV station journalist prevented from interviewing Guangdong worker. 12
Freedom of Association and Assembly. 12
1. Aizhixing Working Conference Broken Up by Police. 12
2. Veterans Denied Permission for Memorial Rally, Threatened. 13
4. Law Firm Punished for Advocating Direct Elections of Lawyers Association. 13
3. Members of Guizhou Group Harassed for Aiding Imprisoned Activists. 13
4. National Security Officers Harass Disrupt Meeting of Activists. 13
5. Five Detained for Organizing Factory Sit-in in Chongqing. 14
3. At Least Five Injured during Workers’ Demonstration in Sichuan Province. 14
4. Chengdu Citizens Protest outside of Court, Dozens Detained. 14
1. Statement on Rights Deprivations for Exercising Freedom of Speech. 15
5. Tiananmen Mothers Issue Public Letter. 15
1. General Administration of Press and Publication Issues Notice on New Press Cards. 15
2. Liaoning Province Invites Citizens to Attend Sessions, Submit Written Recommendations. 16
3. People’s Representatives Tour Detainment Facilities. 16
4. Wuhan Issues Regulations Designed to Curb Abuse by Urban Inspection Officers. 16
Persecution of Activists
Charter 08 Update
1. Crackdown Continues; Liu Xiaobo Remains in Detention
As Chinese authorities press on in their quest to stifle support for Charter 08, CHRD continues to receive reports of individuals who have been punished or otherwise affected for exercising their constitutional rights to freedom of expression and freedom of association.
At 8 in the evening on February 17, Ju Shuguang (巨旭光), a middle school teacher from Changzhi City, Shanxi Province, handed out 100 copies of Charter 08 to medical students at Changzhi Medical School. School officials suspended Ju from his duties the next day and he was asked to come to the PSB the morning of Feb 19 to continue investigation.
Liu Xiaobo (刘晓波) remains held by police in an unknown location outside Beijing. His wife Liu Xia (刘霞) has repeatedly requested to visit her husband a second time without any response. Liu’s lawyers from the Mo Shaoping Law Firm have submitted a request to visit their client – with no response either. (CHRD)[i]
2. Beijing Resident Questioned about “Charter 08” shirts
On February 28, Beijing resident Wang Zhongxia (王仲夏) was met outside his home by 5 members of the National Security Unit of the Beijing PSB and 2 police officers from a local subdivision. The officers took Wang to the Liuliqiao Subdivision of the Beijing PSB in Beijing’s Chaoyang District, where they questioned him for nearly seven hours. Wang was taken in for questioning because he had planned to print a new batch of “Charter 08” t-shirts, after originally making 20 such shirts in January and distributing 19 of them to friends. After the interrogation, police accompanied Wang back to his home, produced a search warrant, and searched his home over the course of an hour and a half. (CHRD)[ii]
Right to Liberty and Security of Person
1. Activist Deng Yongliang Forcibly Returned to Xian
On the afternoon of February 7, Deng Yongliang (邓永亮), a dissident internet writer, arrived in Shanghai but found that his friend and fellow activist Dai Xuezhong (戴学忠)had been placed under house arrest by members of the National Security Police under the Shanghai PSB Putuo District Subdivision and unable to meet him as planned. Later in the afternoon, between 7 and 8 policemen from the National Security Police under the Shanghai PSB came to the inn where Deng was staying. Deng was interrogated and held at the inn until February 8. The police told Deng that because he is an “important member” of the China Democracy Party, he cannot stay in Shanghai. On February 8, Deng was forcibly returned to Xian by members of the National Security Unit of the Shanghai PSB. (CHRD)[iii]
2. Shanghai Activists Kidnapped in Beijing
On the afternoon of February 15, while in Beijing, Shanghai activists Cui Fufang (崔福芳) and Feng Zhenghu (冯正虎) were kidnapped by a group of 7 interceptors from the Beijing Liaison Office of the Shanghai Municipal Government. Cui and Feng were forced into a waiting car, which took the pair to the train station where they were forcibly escorted back to Shanghai. Cui was later released; however, Feng is still detained in an unknown location. It is believed they were persecuted for assisting Shanghai petitioners in seeking legal assistance in Beijing.
Cui Fufang is a petitioner-turned-rights activist. Feng Zhenghu is a dissident writer and human rights activist who was imprisoned between 2000 and 2003 for a commercial publication on Japanese companies in Shanghai. Since January 2008, when Feng published “A Testimony to Shanghai’s Judicial Injustice” and sent copies of it to government officials, he has been closely monitored and harassed by the authorities. (CRLW)[iv]
3. Retired Judge in Xinjiang Detained for Advocating Health Rights of Veterans
CHRD learned on February 23 that Huang Yunmin (黄云敏), a retired judge in Xinjiang who has advocated for the health-related rights of veterans, has been detained on suspicion of “possession of guns” since February 10. On February 10, about twenty local policemen took Huang away from his home in Kashgar City and searched his house. He is currently being held at Tumuxiukeken District Detention Center. Huang, who previously served in the army in Qinghai Province, had been leading a group of fellow veterans in complaining to the Ministry of Civil Affairs in Kashgar about the local government’s failure to provide medical tests and applicable benefits to soldiers who were involved in nuclear testing. (CHRD)[v]
4. Guangdong Activist Threatened, Disappears
On the afternoon of February 26, activist and CRLW volunteer Xiao Qingshan (肖青山) was asked to “have a meal” with officers from the National Security Unit of the Dongguan City, Guangdong Province PSB. At the lunch, officers threatened him that if he insisted on traveling to Beijing to protest as planned, his nephew would lose his job as a traffic policeman and his son and wife would both “be finished.” Unbowed, Xiao attempted to travel to Beijing by train on February 27, but was stopped at the train station in Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province by National Security Officers and forcibly returned to his hometown, Jian City, Jiangxi Province. On March 1, Xiao tried again, this time attempting to leave from the Jiujiang City train station, but was intercepted by PSB officers, at which point fellow activists lost touch with him and have not heard from him since. It is believed he is being detained.
Xiao runs an office helping workers defend their rights, and has been negotiating with local authorities for weeks over the return of items (including money, research materials, and his computer) confiscated from his office by staff from the local labor authorities on January 9. Xiao was attempting to protest in Beijing in advance of the upcoming “Two Meetings” over both this crime and the continued abuses of workers’ rights by Dongguan government officials. (CRLW)[vi]
Surveillance
1. Activists Put under House Arrest as Clinton Arrives in China
Beginning the morning of February 20, a number of dissidents and human rights activists, many of whom were signatories to Charter 08, were put under residential surveillance (or “soft detention”, ruanjin), questioned and followed by Beijing police during Hillary Clinton’s first visit to China as the US Secretary of State. Those monitored or confined by police include Zhang Zuhua (张祖桦), Jiang Qisheng (江棋生), Pu Zhiqiang (浦志强), Zeng Jinyan (曾金燕), Duang Chunfang (段春芳) and others. (CHRD)[vii]
2. Police Intercept Zhejiang Activist’s Phone Calls
Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province democratic activist Xue Zhenbiao (薛振标) learned from friends and family on February 18 that, while he had been out of town on business, calls to his cell phone were answered by a man with a Guangxi accent. Each time the man answered the phone, he questioned the caller about their identity, where they were calling from, and other similar topics. Xue said he had not turned on his phone for 4 days. Using a friend’s phone, he called his turned-off cell phone and encountered the same result, as he was questioned by an unidentified man. Enraged, he demanded to know who the man was, but the other side quickly ended the call and turned off their device. Xue, who consulted experts with knowledge of these types of affairs, believes that it was the work of local police. (CHRD)[viii]
Incarcerated and Imprisoned Activists
1. RTL Detainee’s Administrative Review Rejected
CHRD learned on February 17 that Yue Luxian (岳路献), a lawyer representing Liu Xueli (刘学立), an activist from Chongxian County, Henan Province, received a notice on January 14 from the Luoyang City Government Legal Office stating the office had rejected Liu’s application for administrative review, and decided to uphold the original decision of the Luoyang City Re-education through Labor Management Committee to send Liu to 21 months of RTL for “abnormal petitioning in Beijing,” “sending a public letter to the 17th Party Congress signed by over 10,000 petitioners,” “distorting the facts and attacking national policy,” and “being in possession of illegal leaflets.”
On January 22, Liu’s lawyer presented materials for an administrative lawsuit challenging the decision to Luoyang District, Intermediate, and Upper-level courts, but so far has received no response. Liu himself sent an appeal from within his RTL camp to the Chanhe District Procuratorate in Luoyang City on February 9.
Liu was sent to RTL for applying to protest at one of the designated “Protest Zones” during the Beijing Olympics. In November 2008, he filed an administrative lawsuit at Xigong District Court in Luoyang City and an application for administrative review with the Luoyang City Government Legal Office in November 2008 challenging the ruling, without success. (CHRD)[ix]
2. Yuan Xianchen in Serious Condition, Denied Visits
More than one month after he was tried for “inciting subversion of state power” by Jixi City Intermediate People’s Court on January 12, Yuan Xianchen (袁显臣), a human rights activist and “legal worker” (falu gongzuozhe) based in Jixi City, Heilongjiang Province, has still not received a sentence and remains incarcerated in Jixi City Number 1 Detention Center. His wife, Ms. Zhang, has not been allowed to visit him, nor has she been successful in obtaining any information about his situation from court officials. However, on February 9, she received an urgent call from a detention center doctor who informed her that her husband was seriously ill and that she needed to provide money for treatment immediately. While awaiting trial, Yuan was tortured and beaten, suffering head injuries. According to the doctor, Yuan’s present condition is the result of headaches. (CRLW)[x]
3. Imprisoned Activist Still Denied Medical Care
On February 22, Zhao Changqin (赵长芹), wife of imprisoned activist Guo Qizhen (郭起真), received a call from her husband asking her to contact a lawyer to come speak with him. He also requested that she bring him a fresh supply of medicine to treat the necrosis of the femur from which he has suffered since having his leg broken in a beating prior to his imprisonment on charges of “inciting subversion of state power” in October of 2006. According to Zhao, who was last able to visit Guo on January 22, his health continues to be very poor, his necrosis continues to worsen and he is unable to walk without the aid of crutches. Zhao, who is allowed to visit Guo once every couple of months, said she must bring medicine costing over 3000 RMB each time she visits Guo, and that prison officials refuse to give him access to treatment or release him on bail for medical treatment. Zhao said she did not know what Guo wished to discuss with the lawyer. (CHRD)[xi]
4. Incarcerated Activist Denied Care, in Grave Condition
CHRD learned on February 25 that Wang Guilan (王桂兰), an incarcerated petitioner and activist from Enshi City, Hubei Province, is in need of immediate medical attention as she suffers from a serious infection of burn wounds as well as hypertension and heart disease. Wang’s condition has deteriorated to the point that, though she was sent to 15 months of Re-education through Labor in August, 2008, the Wuhan RTL camp to which she was assigned will not admit her because of medical concerns. Rather than releasing her on bail for medical treatment, however, Enshi City authorities have kept her incarcerated in the Enshi City Detention Center. According to her parents and others who have visited her recently, Wang’s life may be in danger if she is not allowed access to proper treatment. (CHRD)[xii]
5. Petitioner and Activist Liu Jie’s RTL Term Extended
On February 23, CHRD learned from a recently-released RTL detainee surnamed Li that petitioner and activist Liu Jie’s (刘杰) RTL term at the Harbin Women’s RTL camp has been extended. Liu was scheduled to be released on April 12. It was not immediately clear how much time has been added. Li said she did not know the precise reason why Liu’s term had been extended, only that, inside of the camp, there was a system of “demerits” that were arbitrarily assigned by guards, and that when a detainee accumulated too many demerits, for breaking a rule or angering a guard, their term would be extended. It is believed that the extension of Liu’s term might be punishment for her work to expose and lead fellow detainees to protest against the poor conditions in RTL camps and for appealing the decision to send her to RTL. Liu was originally sent to 18 months of RTL on November 27, 2007 for “instigating trouble and disturbing social order” after she was detained by Beijing authorities for releasing a public letter signed by 12, 150 petitioners calling on leaders at the 17th party Congress to press for reforms. (CHRD)[xiii]
6. Hu Jia Meets with Family for First Time in Over Three Months
On February 25, Zeng Jinyan (曾金燕), wife of imprisoned human rights activist Hu Jia (胡佳), was allowed to meet with her husband for the first time since November 21, 2008. During the visit, Zeng learned from Hu that he was given a checkup on February 4, but the results have not yet been made available to either him or his family. Hu previously received checkups on October 15 and November 11, but his family was only given incomplete information from one of the checkups. Hu suffers from cirrhosis of the liver and has been taking Lamivudine, a drug that treats Hepatitis B. According to Zeng, Hu was visited by a doctor in December for a “chat” about whether or not to continue taking Lamivudine, but has not received a comprehensive examination or any adjustment to his course of treatment by liver specialists. (CHRD)[xiv]
Persecution of Petitioners
1. Members of Wenzhou Dispossessed Farmers’ Group Summoned After Presenting Petition
On February 16, hundreds of dispossessed farmers from Longwan District, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province travelled together to present a petition to the Wenzhou City government. On February 22, villagers in Longwan District reported that, since the peaceful activities of the farmers on February 16, Longwan District police have been unceasingly summoning (chuanhuan) farmers who were part of the group that presented the petition, including Wang Bingbiao (王炳标), Lin Caihua (林彩花), and Wang Baoxing (王宝兴), and that police have threatened villagers with punishment if they attempt to visit government offices again. (CRLW)[xv]
2. Hunan Petitioner Forcibly Returned, Detained
Jiang Xiangsheng (蒋祥生), a laid-off community-run school (minban xuexiao) teacher from Shaoyang County, Hunan Province, was caught in Beijing and forcibly returned to Shaoyang County on February 13, at which point he was detained in Shaoyang County Detention Center. Jiang, who had been renting a room in Beijing while he petitioned the government for better treatment for dismissed community-run school teachers for the past 4 months, was caught by Beijing police and turned over to interceptors from Shaoyang Province, who forcibly escorted him back to Hunan. On February 17, Shaoyang County community-run school teacher Wang Youlu (王有律) went to the Shaoyang County PSB to inquire about Jiang’s situation, and was told only that “police are in the process of learning about his situation.” Jiang is 55 years old. (CRLW)[xvi]
3. Hunan Petitioners Detained, Beaten
Changsha City, Hunan Province petitioners Zhou Jianyue (周建跃), Hou Ying (侯映) and others were administratively detained for 5 days in Beijing (Jan 22-Jan 27) after being intercepted by Beijing police during Spring Festival. After their detention they were forcibly returned to Changsha, where Hou was taken into custody. She had previously been sentenced to 3 years in prison in 2007 for “gathering crowds to disturb social order”, a sentence that was suspended for four years, but the same day she returned to Changsha she was sent to the Hunan Provincial Women’s Prison. Zhou Jianyue, Yang Dawei (杨大伟) and others petitioned for Hou’s release at the Kaifu District government offices in Changsha City, and as a result Yang was taken to the local Furong Beilu Police Station and beaten by a police officer, while Zhou and his wife were beaten inside of the government offices, dragged out of the building, and sent to 5 days of administrative detention beginning February 23. Zhou Jianyue and Hou Ying had been petitioning the government for proper compensation after the forced demolition of their houses years ago. (CHRD)[xvii]
4. Shandong Substitute Teacher Threatened for Petitioning
Bing Xiunuo (邴秀娜), a substitute teacher from Qixia Town, Qixia City, Shandong Province, was surprised at home on February 23 by a group of unidentified individuals, who burst in and threatened her against continuing to petition or attempting to travel to Beijing during the upcoming “Two Meetings” of the National People’s Congress and the National People’s Political Consultative Conference. Bing, who lost her job as an elementary schoolteacher after over a decade, had been petitioning for the rights of substitute teachers and acting as a representative for local substitute teachers. (CRLW)[xviii]
5. Xinjiang Workers’ Representatives Prevented from Traveling to Petition
On February 6, a group of more than 50 retired workers from the Baosteel Group Corporation’s Xinjiang Bayi Iron and Steel Company were attempting to travel by train from Urumqi to Beijing when they were stopped by police and forcefully returned to Xinjiang. The group was headed to Beijing to petition the government on behalf of 3000 retired workers, in hopes that the government could force their former employer to adjust their pensions to address the rising cost of living in Xinjiang.
During April and May, 2000, officials at the Bayi Iron and Steel Company forced the retirement of nearly 4000 workers, conveying warnings down through the ranks that workers who did not retire immediately would likely find themselves fired. However, a clause in the early retirement contract states that the company does not have to readjust pensions for retired workers, so those individuals who were forced to retire in 2000 are now faced with serious financial difficulties. Representatives for the workers are currently preparing a lawsuit against Bayi Iron and Steel Company as they believe that the relevant clause violates China’s Labor Law and other national labor regulations. (CHRD)[xix]
6. Ningxia Petitioners Detained, Forcibly Returned
On January 26, a group of 13 former employees of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China in Ningxia who had travelled to Beijing to petition were detained by police and taken to Ma Jia House. They were held for two days before being released on January 28, but on February 17 three members of the group— Zhang Li (张力), Zhu Chunan (朱春安), and Ma Jian (马健)— were again detained by police. The three were held for 5 days before being forcibly returned to Ningxia on February 22.
The petitioners lost their jobs when bank officials decided to reduce the workforce, and they contend that the firings did not follow legal guidelines (including failing to convene a workers’ meeting and failing to notify local labor authorities) and they were not offered adequate compensation. (CRLW)[xx]
7. Ten Thousand Former Bank Employees Gather to Petition in Beijing
On February 23, nearly ten thousand former workers from China’s five major banks— Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of China, China Construction Bank, China Commercial Bank, and the Bank of China— gathered outside of the National Department of Letters and Visits in Beijing to demand authorities address their complaints over their forced resignations and inadequate compensation provided by their former employers. Hundreds of police arrived to disperse the crowd, forcing an unknown number of petitioning former workers into twenty police vehicles parked nearby. Similar groups gathered on the afternoons of February 24 and 25 at bank offices located in the Fuxingmen area of Beijing, with police forcibly taking two busloads of petitioners on both occasions. (CHRD)[xxi]
8. Petitioner Detained and Beaten for Attempting to Appeal to Clinton
On February 22, Wang Shixiang (王士祥), a petitioner and former business owner from Tongcheng City, Anhui Province, was beaten and detained for attempting to appeal to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during her visit to China. Wang was intercepted by the Beijing police while on his way to Beijing’s Haidian Christian Church and sent to Ma Jia House, a centralized black jail. Officials at Ma Jia House later sent Wang to Juyuan Inn, a black jail operated by the Beijing Liaison Office of Henan Province. There, Wang was beaten by the guards, resulting in injuries to his chest and abdomen. On February 23, Wang was handed over to members of the Beijing Liaison Office of Anhui Province and taken to yet another black jail, in the back of a restaurant building near Hangtian Bridge in Haidian District, Beijing. Wang was released on February 25. (CHRD)[xxii]
9. Xinhui District Police Harass Families of Vaccine Victims
CHRD learned on February 25 that officials in Xinhui District, Jiangmen City, Guangdong Province have been harassing the families who sued pharmaceutical companies and government agencies in 2007 after their children suffered brain damage as a result of faulty Japanese encephalitis vaccines. Yu Tongan (余同安), father of Yu Ronghui (余荣辉), was detained by local police from Gujing Township Police Station under Xinhui District PSB on February 13 and released the evening of February 15. Yu reports that he was detained without any legal procedure, and that he went on a hunger strike while detained in protest. After his release, however, Yu found his family under police surveillance, with two policemen from Gujing Township Police Station stationed outside the door to his home. The two other families who brought the suit along with Yu Tongan have had similar experiences: the family of Tan Jieyi (譚洁仪), from Shuangshui Township, Xinhui District was put under surveillance by local police, and the family of Liang Jiayi (梁嘉怡), from Huicheng Township, Xinhui District is being required to report to a local police station daily. It is believed that the families are being detained and harassed to ensure that they will not be petitioning during the Guangdong Provincial “Two Meetings”. (CHRD)[xxiii]
10. Crowds of Petitioners Arrive in Beijing Ahead of Two Meetings
Thousands of petitioners from all over the country are streaming into Beijing in advance of the “Two Meetings” in hopes of having their grievances addressed by government authorities. Eyewitnesses report crowds of thousands outside the National Office of Letters and Visits, with similar crowds lined up outside of the Chinese Communist Party Disciplinary Committee. With the increased number of petitioners comes increased police presence- CRLW has received a number of reports of petitioners being harassed, detained in “black jails”, or prevented from reaching Beijing altogether by interceptors and police at train stations across the country. Petitioner Yang Yimei (杨一美), of Jilin Province, reports that a large number of Jilin Province petitioners are being held at a black jail operated by the Beijing Liaison Office of the Changchun City Government. On February 26, petitioners Liu Junchun (刘俊春) and Huang Rencai (黄仁才) from Guizhou were caught and sent to Ma Jia House. Liaoning Province petitioner Tang Xiuyun (唐秀云) reports that between 10 and 20 fellow petitioners were stopped and beaten by interceptors at the Shenyang City train station, and she alone was able to make it through to her train and on to Beijing. (CRLW)[xxiv]
Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment
1. Changchun Petitioners Beaten
On the evening of February 6, Yang Yimei (杨一美), a petitioner from Changchun City, Jilin Province who had travelled to Beijing to petition with her 80-year-old mother Liu Shuqing (刘淑青), was savagely beaten by Jilin interceptors outside of Beijing’s Civil Aviation Headquarters. Yang and her mother were approached by six interceptors who ordered them to get into a waiting van, and when the pair refused, the interceptors attacked them. One of the men stabbed Yang in her face. Yang and Liu were taken to a room in the back of the Runhua Guesthouse, which is a black jail operated by the Beijing Liaison Office of the Changchun City Government. Liu was able to escape and alert police at a nearby subdivision, who arrived and took away the interceptors, though they were later released after recording their version of the events. The next day, February 7, Yang went to Beijing’s Xuanwu hospital, where she received 15 stitches on her face.
Liu has been petitioning for compensation since 1968, when she was intentionally injured by a worker at Heilongjiang Province’s Yilan Civil Aviation Office. In 1977 she was sent to RTL for three years for petitioning, and though her case was redressed in 1982 she has never been compensated for her injuries. (CRLW)[xxv]
Freedom of Expression
1. Zhejiang Writer Summoned, Fined
At 1 pm on the afternoon of February 22, 5 or 6 officers from the National Security Unit under the Linhai City PSB in Zhejiang Province arrived at the home of activist Wu Gaoxing (吴高兴), summoning him for talks (chuanhuan) and searching his house, confiscating his computer and cell phone. According to Wu, he was summoned for writing three articles in the past month: one about salaries of government employees, one about economic and democratic reform in China, and one about Charter 08. Two of the articles were published online and another published in Apple Daily, a Hong Kong newspaper. Wu, who earned roughly 1200 RMB for the three articles, was ordered to pay taxes on this income and fined an additional 3000 RMB for writing articles “damaging the prestige of state organs”. (CHRD)[xxvi]
2. CRLW Site Interfered With by Internet Authorities
The Hubei-based Civil Rights and Livelihood Watch (CRLW) website, http://www.msguancha.com, has experienced increasingly serious and prolonged interference in recent months, reportedly initiated by Chinese authorities. According to a February 25 interview with Liu Feiyue (刘飞跃), the website is often down as a result of the interference and sometimes cannot be accessed for days at a time. “This is a barbaric behavior, it is illegal, it’s a crime,” he said. “The interference of the free flow of information by the authority of the local province should be condemned.” Liu also reported that on February 19 a journalist scheduled to interview him for the state-controlled Suizhou Broadcaster was apparently blocked from doing so. Liu had consented to the interview, but the journalist was reportedly diverted by the principal of a local school in Hubei and left without conducting the interview. (CRLW)[xxvii]
3. Spanish TV station journalist prevented from interviewing Guangdong worker
On February 18, an interview scheduled between a journalist from Spain’s Catalonia TV station and Guangdong worker Xiao Qingshan (肖青山) at a talent market in Dongguan City, Guangdong was forcibly broken up by a group of unidentified workers from talent market. The same day, Xiao received a call from the National Security Unit of the Dongguan PSB informing him that he would be questioned about the incident the following day. (CRLW)[xxviii]
Freedom of Association and Assembly
1. Aizhixing Working Conference Broken Up by Police
A working conference scheduled for February 16 by the Aizhixing Research Institute, a Beijing-based NGO working on AIDS issues, was called off after Beijing police unexpectedly arrived at the site to document and examine identification cards for the more than 50 individuals invited to attend. According to Aizhixing organizer Wan Yanhai (万延海), this is the first time in the organization’s 15-year existence that police have disrupted a meeting. However, the director, staff, and patients involved with Aizhixing have been repeatedly harassed by police over the years, so they are no strangers to such attention. (CHRD)[xxix]
2. Veterans Denied Permission for Memorial Rally, Threatened
In order to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the 1979 China-Vietnam border war, veteran Gong Qinwen (宫勤文) and other comrades planned to hold a memorial rally in Yantai City, Shandong Province. At the beginning of February, Gong went to the Yantai PSB Zhifu Subdivision to seek approval for their plan and sent the application to other related authorities in the city. Yantai authorities not only refused to grant permission to Gong and the veterans, but went on to threaten members of the group with detention if the proceeded with their plan. On February 16, the eve of the planned rally, Gong and other organizers disappeared; it is unclear where they were taken. The proposed site of the rally, the Yantai Workers’ Cultural Palace Square, was filled with police officers on February 17, but the rally they were waiting to break up never materialized as Gong and others remained missing. (CRLW)[xxx]
4. Law Firm Punished for Advocating Direct Elections of Lawyers Association
Beijing’s Yitong Law Firm (北京忆通律师事务所) was notified that it would be forced to close for six months for “re-organization” by the Beijing Haidian District Bureau of Justice on February 17, 2009. Lawyers at the firm told CHRD that they believe the move is in retaliation for the advocacy of Yitong Law Firm lawyers for direct elections of the leadership of the Beijing Lawyers’ Association in 2008. The firm is also known for taking on tough rights cases, such as representing jailed activists Hu Jia and Chen Guangcheng. (CHRD)[xxxi]
3. Members of Guizhou Group Harassed for Aiding Imprisoned Activists
During Spring Festival, a group of more than 30 Guizhou citizens came together to provide donations and support to imprisoned democratic activists and their families, and were summoned (chuanhuan) and harassed by members of the National Security Unit of the Guizhou PSB as a result. The group, which called itself “Guizhou Goodwill Support Association”, directed the donations to imprisoned activists and their families in neighboring Sichuan Province, including She Wanbao (佘万宝), Hu Mingjun (胡明君), Zhang Qi (张起), and others. Chen Xi (陈西), one of the members of the Guizhou Goodwill Support Association, was summoned by police on February 2 after returning from Sichuan and again on February 18, and many other members of the group, including Liao Shuangyuan (廖双元) have been summoned, forcibly taken in for questioning, or otherwise harassed since the end of January. (CHRD)[xxxii]
4. National Security Officers Harass Disrupt Meeting of Activists
Shortly after midnight on the morning of February 26, a group of around 20 uniformed Chongqing police and plainclothes members of the National Security Unit of the Chongqing PSB burst into the home of Wang Yi (王译) with the excuse that they needed to check IDs and took the activists gathered inside, including Wang, Chen Wei (陈卫), Tian Yongde (田永德) and others, to the Yubeilu Police Station, Chenjiawan, Shapingba District, Chongqing for questioning. According to Chen Wei, the police asked the members of the group why they had come to Chongqing, to which he replied they had come to Chongqing simply to see friends, except for Tian Yongde, who had travelled to the city for medical treatment. Chen called their treatment at the hands of National Security officers “unacceptable.” The next day, February 27, Chen was called in for “tea” with National Security officers, who he believes mistakenly thought he had come to Chongqing to do research for a book.
Chen Dayang (陈大杨), who was not with the group at the time, was similarly accosted at his home a few hours later. When he asked police to provide legal documents authorizing their presence, an officer responded by striking him three times. Chen was then brought in for questioning as well. (CHRD)[xxxiii]
5. Five Detained for Organizing Factory Sit-in in Chongqing
On February 15, Tongliang County PSB officers asked Tang Aimin (唐爱民), Hu Weimin (胡卫民), Li Taiyuan (李太元), Ou Hongyong (欧红勇) and Wang Yu (汪宇), five workers who were acting as representatives of about 800 dismissed workers who have been seeking pensions and medical insurance following the closure of the silk factory at which they worked, to meet with them to “discuss the problem of the plant”. They were then taken into police custody. Tang and Hu have been criminally detained on suspicion of “gathering crowds to disturb social order” but it is unclear where they are currently being held. Li, Ou and Wang were administratively detained on suspicion of “gathering crowds to disturb social order” in Tongliang PSB Detention Center for 12 days before being released on the evening of February 27. (CHRD)[xxxiv]
3. At Least Five Injured during Workers’ Demonstration in Sichuan Province
On February 23, police numbering in the hundreds clashed with about 800 workers from a textile factory in Zigong City, Sichuan Province, who had been demonstrating outside of the Zigong City government building since February 20. The protestors were upset with mandatory retirement arrangements made by the factory after it announced bankruptcy at the end of 2008. At least five protestors were injured and three were detained for the afternoon before being released that evening. Liu Zhengyou (刘正有), a human rights activist documenting the protest, was interrogated for four hours and had his camera confiscated.
The workers continued their protest until February 25, but, receiving no response from government officials and under heavy pressure and threats from local authorities, had no choice but to abandon their demonstrations. (CHRD)[xxxv]
4. Chengdu Citizens Protest outside of Court, Dozens Detained
On February 23 and 24, dozens of citizens chained themselves together outside of Chengdu Intermediate Court to protest corruption within the judicial system and unfair or improper decisions made by the courts which have affected them and others during recent years in Chengdu. Clad in white hats and carrying handmade signs with the character “injustice” (yuan), the protestors chanted “down with corrupt officials,” “give us back our human rights,” and other slogans. Around 3 p.m. on February 24, the police, who had long been observing the protest, asked organizers to meet them inside the courthouse for talks, and the protestors selected Liu Jiwei (刘继伟) and Bao Jinsheng (鲍进生) to act as representatives. However, once inside the building, protestors could not contact Liu or Bao and their present situation is unknown. By 6:30 in the evening, a group of more than 100 policemen surrounded the protestors and moved in, seizing at least 22 or 23 protestors. Those captured by police were initially detained at the Chadianzi Police Station under PSB, after which they were separated and taken to different police stations in the Jinniu District of Chengdu before being released. (CHRD)[xxxvi]
Citizens’ Actions
1. Statement on Rights Deprivations for Exercising Freedom of Speech
On February 16, a group of 27 intellectuals authorized CHRD to issue their statement, “On Citizens who have been Deprived of Working Rights for Exercising Their Freedom of Speech”, detailing situations in which work units have punished citizens for speaking out on various issues by stripping them of their right to work. To read the full statement (in Chinese), please see: https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class71/200902/20090216221204_13726.html. (CHRD)[xxxvii]
5. Tiananmen Mothers Issue Public Letter
On February 26, the Tiananmen Mothers, a group relatives who lost family members during the June 4, 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, issued a public letter to representatives at China’s upcoming “Two Meetings” of the National People’s Congress and the national committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. The letter calls for an official investigation into the actions of the government on June 3 and 4, 1989, compensation for families of victims, and punishment in accordance with the law for those responsible for the massacre. (CHRD)[xxxviii]
Law and Policy Watch
1. General Administration of Press and Publication Issues Notice on New Press Cards
According to a February 11 China Youth Daily report, the General Administration of Press and Publication published a notice on February 10 concerning the issuing of new press cards for reporters in 2009, set to go into effect on February 25. The new cards contain a page entitled “matters needing attention”, which notes that “people’s government at each level should support the holder of this card in conducting interviews, facilitate their work and supply necessary safeguards.”
However, the addition of this language to press card regulations will do little to address the underlying problems with the system. Accreditation remains a potent mechanism to control journalists, as every year, the General Administration of Press and Publication conducts a review of all journalists in advance of issuing new cards and also ensures that other government departments and local governments are aware that the press card alone is the only acceptable form of journalistic accreditation. Journalists without press cards are considered “fake journalists” and those who have “violated” media regulations may find the renewal of their card delayed or may even be stripped of their accreditation altogether. The system effectively discourages journalists from being critical of the government.
Also reported in this article is a new initiative by the General Administration of Press and Publication to construct a database of “bad journalists” to document violations of law or policy committed by members of the news media. The cases, which will be publicly reported if the situation warrants, will be divided into three levels, ranging from level 3 (criticizing or cautioning reporters who go against regulations) to level one (banning reporters for life who have been convicted of a crime, such as impersonating a reporter for the purpose of extortion or blackmail). (China Youth Daily)[xxxix]
2. Liaoning Province Invites Citizens to Attend Sessions, Submit Written Recommendations
Legal Daily reported on February 19 that a new set of procedural rules for the Liaoning Provincial People’s Congress which went into effect on February 1 included for the first time an article permitting citizens to attend meetings of the legislative body. Citizens of Liaoning Province administrative districts who are older than 18 and possess full political and civil rights may apply to sit in on meetings of the Provincial People’s Congress standing committee during both plenary and multi-group conferences. The decision of whether or not a citizen’s request will be granted is left up to the conference chair. Though visiting citizens will not have the opportunity to speak during the sessions, they will be able to submit written questions, which will be handled by the general office of the standing committee. (Legal Daily)[xl]
3. People’s Representatives Tour Detainment Facilities
According to a Xinhua Net report, Liaoyuan City recently received a group of 20 members of an inspection tour as part of a pilot project to institute a system of detainment facility inspections. The members of the group included doctors, teachers, private entrepreneurs, government employees, social workers, and others, all of them local People’s Congress representatives, Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference members or people’s supervisors. Inspection tour members were allowed to speak to any detainee, one-on-one, at any point during the tours, and examine and record the conditions they encountered, so as to verify whether or not the detention facilities were acting in accordance with legal regulations and procedures and whether detainees were being treated humanely. Inspection tour members were asked for recommendations and suggestions after visiting each detention facility. The program is set to expand to Jinzhong City in Shanxi Province and Zhangjiagang City in Jiangsu Province.
If this project is carried out in good faith, and the people’s representatives are able to conduct an open and honest investigation of the situation in these detention facilities, this could be a useful measure in pressuring the Chinese government to live up to its obligations as a signatory of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, and Degrading Treatment. (Legal System News Network)[xli]
4. Wuhan Issues Regulations Designed to Curb Abuse by Urban Inspection Officers
According to a Legal Daily report, the Wuhan Urban Inspection Bureau and the Wuhan Human Affairs Bureau jointly issued a new regulation on February 25 detailing six prohibited acts that, if violated by urban inspection officers, could result in the dismissal of that officer from their post. Among the prohibited acts are: violating legal regulations or going beyond one’s authority to enforce the law; abusing one’s power for personal gain by taking or accepting bribes; and abusing, insulting, or physically beating individuals who fall under one’s administration. The responsibility for meting out punishment will fall on the leader of individual law enforcement brigades or other principal leaders within the Urban Inspection Bureau.
Urban inspection officers are notorious for their abuse of and violence towards hawkers, peddlers, and other similar individuals. Whether this new regulation will provide any greater protection for these citizens against threats from the authorities remains to be seen. (Legal Daily)[xlii]
Notable CHRD Publications
1. On February 28, CHRD issued a report entitled “Rural Areas and Problems with Protection of Farmers’ Property Rights: Present Conditions and Recommendations” (农村土地及农民财产权保护问题：现状及建议). For the full text in Chinese, please visit https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class1/200902/20090228212950_13975.html. This report will not be issued in English.
Editors: Wang Songlian and David Smalls
[i]” Charter 08 Signatory Ju Xuguang Called in for Talks by Police” (《零八宪章》签名人巨旭光被警方约谈), February 21, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/lingbaxianzhang/200902/20090218213354_13770.html>
[ii] “Beijing Citizen Wang Zhongxia Threatened, Has Home Searched for Printing Charter 08 Shirt ” (北京公民王仲夏因印发《零八宪章》文化衫被抄家、威胁), March 1, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/lingbaxianzhang/200903/20090301000007_13981.html>
[iii] “Activist Deng Yongliang Forcibly Returned to Xian from Shanghai ” (维权人士邓永亮去上海打工被遣送回西安), February 9, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090209120453_13536.html>
[iv] “Feng Zhenghu Kidnapped, Returned to Shanghai; Beijing Lawyers Carry on His Case ” (冯正虎被绑架回上海 北京律师继续他代理的案件), February 16, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090216012945_13708.html>
[v] “Retired Judge in Xinjiang Detained for Advocating Health Rights of Veterans”, February 24, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class9/Class10/200902/20090224014142_13868.html>
[vi]” Xiao Qingshan Warned Against Travel to Beijing; Chen Guangcheng’s Suit Against PSB Rejected ” (肖青山进京维权遭威胁 陈明光状告公安被退回), February 26,2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090226200445_13930.html>
“Xiao Qingshan Disappears While En Route to Beijing; Wuhan Petitions Demand Release ” (肖青山进京维权失去联系 武汉访民要求释放高新), March 2, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200903/20090302164950_14013.html>
[vii] “Activists Put under House Arrest as Clinton Arrives in China”, February 21, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class9/Class10/200903/20090304091000_14052.html>
[viii] “RFA: Phone of Democratic Activist Xue Zhenbiao Tapped; Hangzhou Petitioners Protest Crackdown by Authorities ” (RFA：民主人士薛振标手机被窃听 杭州访民抗议当局打压), February 20, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090220230728_13813.html>
[ix]” Petition of Activist Liu Xueli for Administrative Review Rejected, Administrative Suit Obstructed ” (维权人士刘学立被劳教案行政复议被驳回、行政诉讼遭阻扰),February 17, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class18/liuxueli/200902/20090217180936_13742.html>
[x] “Hunan Petitioner and Teacher Jiang Xiangsheng Detained; Yuan Xianchen’s Condition Worsens ” (湖南上访民师蒋祥生遭关押 袁显臣狱中患病),February 17, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class18/yuanxianchen/200902/20090217155442_13739.html>
[xi] “Guo Qizhen Seriously Ill in Prison, Wishes to Meet with Lawyer ” (郭起真在狱中患重病，希望请律师前去会见), February 22, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class18/Class65/200902/20090222224644_13847.html>
[xii] “Incarcerated Activist Denied Care, in Grave Condition”, February 26, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class9/Class10/200902/20090226014007_13915.html>
[xiii]” RTL Term of Petitioner and Activist Liu Jie Extended ” (上访维权代表刘杰劳教被加期), February 23, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class18/liujie/200902/20090223154847_13860.html>
[xiv]” Zeng Jinyan: Setting Aside More Important than Anger ” (曾金燕：放下比愤怒重要), February 25, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class7/200902/20090225230330_13913.html>
[xv] “Hundreds of Longwan District, Wenzhou City Villagers Petition Government ” (浙江温州龙湾区数百村民政府请愿示威),February 16, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090216164430_13719.html>
[xvi] “Hunan Petitioner and Teacher Jiang Xiangsheng Detained; Yuan Xianchen’s Condition Worsens ” (湖南上访民师蒋祥生遭关押 袁显臣狱中患病), February 17, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class18/yuanxianchen/200902/20090217155442_13739.html>
[xvii] “Forces High and Low Collude to Entrap, Beat, Arrest Petitioners ” (上下串通，坑骗、殴打、拘捕访民的血泪事实), February 17, 2009. https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090217090203_13736.html
[xviii]” Three Trends of Laid-Off Teachers’ Rights Defense Activities” (近期中国各地下岗教师维权动态三则), February 22, 2009. https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090224224343_13884.html
[xix]” 3000 Retired Workers From Baosteel Group Corporation’s Xinjiang Bayi Iron and Steel Company Become Petitioners ” (宝钢集团新疆八一钢铁有限公司3千余名内退人员变成访民), February 23, 2009. https://www.nchrd.org/Article/fmzj/200902/20090223140340_13858.html
[xx]” Laid-Off Workers From Ningxia ICBC Petition in Beijing, 3 Detained ” (宁夏工商银行买断职工北京上访维权三人被拘), February 26, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090226092203_13923.html>
[xxi]“Nearly 10,000 Laid-Off Workers From 5 Major Banks Petition” (五大银行”买断职工”近万人持续上访), February 25, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090225224545_13907.html>
[xxii] “Petitioner Detained and Beaten for Attempting to Appeal to Clinton”, February 28, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class9/Class10/200902/20090228025801_13961.html>
“Anhui Petitioner and Activist Wang Shixiang Detained in Black Jail” (安徽上访维权人士王士祥被关黑监狱), February 26, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/fmzj/200902/20090226201138_13931.html>
[xxiii] “Yu Tongan Returns Home to Surveillance” (余同安回家仍受监视), February 16, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090216085659_13710.html>
[xxiv]” Tide of Petitioners from Jilin, Liaoning, Ninxia Head to Beijing Ahead of Two Meetings ” (两会前出现访民潮 吉林、辽宁、宁夏访民纷纷进京), February 27, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/fmzj/200902/20090227153400_13950.html>
“New Flash: Guizhou Petitioner in Beijing Caught, Detained” (快讯：贵州访民在北京被警察抓捕关押), February 27, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/fmzj/200902/20090227222207_13957.html>
[xxv]“Changchun Petitioner Yang Yimei Beaten While Petitioning in Beijing” (长春访民杨一美在北京上访遭殴打), February 9, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/fmzj/200902/20090209084413_13531.html>
[xxvi]” Zhejiang Activist Wu Gaoxing Summoned, Fined for Articles ” (浙江临海异议人士吴高兴因文章被传唤并遭罚款处罚), February 23, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090223113709_13855.html>
[xxvii]” International Journalist Association Condemns Attacks on CRLW Site” (国际记者联会谴责攻击民生观察网的行为), February 26, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090226135930_13927.html>
[xxviii] “Spanish Journalist Barred From Interviewing Worker; Suizhou TV Station Barred from Interviewing Liu Feiyue” (西班牙记者采访劳工受阻 随州电视台采访刘飞跃被拦), February 19, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090219123430_13786.html>
[xxix]” Police Disrupt Beijing Aizhixing Institute Conference to Check Members’ IDs” (北京爱知行研究所遭警察检验与会者身份证), February 17, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090217221547_13751.html>
[xxx] “Yantai Veterans’ Group Barred from Holding Memorial Rally; Organizers Missing” (烟台老兵集体纪念中越反击战30周年受阻 代表失踪), February 17, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090217193820_13744.html>
[xxxi] “Law Firm Punished for Advocating Direct Elections of Lawyers Association”, February 19, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class9/Class10/200902/20090219195717_13794.html>
[xxxii]” Guizhou Citizens Harassed by Police for Donations to Families of Sichuan Activists” (贵州公民捐款助四川民运人士家属受警方骚扰), February 26, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090226125526_13925.html>
[xxxiii]” Rights of Wang Yi, Chen Wei and Others Violated by Chongqing Authorities; Chen Dayang Beaten” (王译、陈卫等人遭重庆国保非法侵犯人身自由 陈大杨遭遇暴力), February 26, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090226082519_13916.html>
“Activist Chen Wei Called in for ‘Tea'” (维权人士陈卫被遂宁国保请”喝茶”), February 27, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090227223414_13959.html>
[xxxiv] “Five Detained for Organizing Factory Sit-in in Chongqing; Six Injured during Workers Demonstration in Sichuan Province”, February 25, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class9/Class10/200902/20090225202636_13905.html>
“3 Chongqing Silk Factory Worker Representatives Released, Two Still Detained ” (重庆铜梁县丝厂维权代表三人得释，两人仍被关押), March 2, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200903/20090302143952_14012.html>
[xxxv] “Five Detained for Organizing Factory Sit-in in Chongqing; Six Injured during Workers Demonstration in Sichuan Province”, February 25, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class9/Class10/200902/20090225202636_13905.html>
[xxxvi]” Citizens Protest “Injustice” In Front of Chengdu Court; Dozens Detained” (手持”冤”字纸牌 成都中院前抗议数十冤民被抓), February 24, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090224000852_13866.html>
[xxxvii] For more information, see: https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090227121341_13947.html
[xxxviii] “Tiananmen Mothers Call For Investigation into Massacre by Members of ‘Two Meetings'” (“天安门母亲”呼吁”两会”对”六四”进行调查), February 27, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class71/200902/20090227155715_13954.html>
[xxxix] “General Administration of Press and Publishing: Civil Servants Cannot Reject Interviews Without Reason” (新闻出版总署：无正当理由公职人员不得拒绝采访), February 11, 2009. <http://news.163.com/09/0211/10/51S6B40600012QEA.html>
[xl] ” Liaoning Provincial People’s Congress Invites Citizen Participation; No Right to Speak, but Submitting Written Suggestions Acceptable” (辽宁省人大出规则邀公民旁听 无发言权可提书面意见建议), February 20, 2009. <http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/0801/2009-02/20/content_1039521.htm>
[xli] “People’s Representative Take Inspection Tour of Detention Facilities in Torture Study” (遏制刑讯逼供：中国民意代表巡视羁押场所), February 7, 2009. <http://www.chinalnn.com/Html/Article/Class1/Class2/12930720090207120143.html>
[xlii]“Wuhan Issues List of Prohibited Acts for Urban Inspection Officials” (武汉给城管戴上”紧箍咒” 触”六条禁令”可被开除), February 26, 2009. <http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/0801/2009-02/26/content_1043854.htm>
” Charter 08 Signatory Ju Xuguang Called in for Talks by Police” (《零八宪章》签名人巨旭光被警方约谈), February 21, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/lingbaxianzhang/200902/20090218213354_13770.html>
“Beijing Citizen Wang Zhongxia Threatened, Has Home Searched for Printing Charter 08 Shirt ” (北京公民王仲夏因印发《零八宪章》文化衫被抄家、威胁), March 1, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/lingbaxianzhang/200903/20090301000007_13981.html>
“Activist Deng Yongliang Forcibly Returned to Xian from Shanghai ” (维权人士邓永亮去上海打工被遣送回西安), February 9, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090209120453_13536.html>
“Feng Zhenghu Kidnapped, Returned to Shanghai; Beijing Lawyers Carry on His Case ” (冯正虎被绑架回上海 北京律师继续他代理的案件), February 16, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090216012945_13708.html>
“Retired Judge in Xinjiang Detained for Advocating Health Rights of Veterans”, February 24, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class9/Class10/200902/20090224014142_13868.html>
” Xiao Qingshan Warned Against Travel to Beijing; Chen Guangcheng’s Suit Against PSB Rejected ” (肖青山进京维权遭威胁 陈明光状告公安被退回), February 26,2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090226200445_13930.html>
“Xiao Qingshan Disappears While En Route to Beijing; Wuhan Petitions Demand Release ” (肖青山进京维权失去联系 武汉访民要求释放高新), March 2, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200903/20090302164950_14013.html>
“Activists Put under House Arrest as Clinton Arrives in China”, February 21, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class9/Class10/200903/20090304091000_14052.html>
“RFA: Phone of Democratic Activist Xue Zhenbiao Tapped; Hangzhou Petitioners Protest Crackdown by Authorities ” (RFA：民主人士薛振标手机被窃听 杭州访民抗议当局打压), February 20, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090220230728_13813.html>
” Petition of Activist Liu Xueli for Administrative Review Rejected, Administrative Suit Obstructed ” (维权人士刘学立被劳教案行政复议被驳回、行政诉讼遭阻扰),February 17, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class18/liuxueli/200902/20090217180936_13742.html>
“Hunan Petitioner and Teacher Jiang Xiangsheng Detained; Yuan Xianchen’s Condition Worsens ” (湖南上访民师蒋祥生遭关押 袁显臣狱中患病),February 17, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class18/yuanxianchen/200902/20090217155442_13739.html>
“Guo Qizhen Seriously Ill in Prison, Wishes to Meet with Lawyer ” (郭起真在狱中患重病，希望请律师前去会见), February 22, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class18/Class65/200902/20090222224644_13847.html>
“Incarcerated Activist Denied Care, in Grave Condition”, February 26, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class9/Class10/200902/20090226014007_13915.html>
” RTL Term of Petitioner and Activist Liu Jie Extended ” (上访维权代表刘杰劳教被加期), February 23, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class18/liujie/200902/20090223154847_13860.html>
” Zeng Jinyan: Setting Aside More Important than Anger ” (曾金燕：放下比愤怒重要), February 25, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class7/200902/20090225230330_13913.html>
“Hundreds of Longwan District, Wenzhou City Villagers Petition Government ” (浙江温州龙湾区数百村民政府请愿示威),February 16, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090216164430_13719.html>
“Hunan Petitioner and Teacher Jiang Xiangsheng Detained; Yuan Xianchen’s Condition Worsens ” (湖南上访民师蒋祥生遭关押 袁显臣狱中患病), February 17, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class18/yuanxianchen/200902/20090217155442_13739.html>
“Forces High and Low Collude to Entrap, Beat, Arrest Petitioners ” (上下串通，坑骗、殴打、拘捕访民的血泪事实), February 17, 2009. https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090217090203_13736.html
” Three Trends of Laid-Off Teachers’ Rights Defense Activities” (近期中国各地下岗教师维权动态三则), February 22, 2009. https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090224224343_13884.html
” 3000 Retired Workers From Baosteel Group Corporation’s Xinjiang Bayi Iron and Steel Company Become Petitioners ” (宝钢集团新疆八一钢铁有限公司3千余名内退人员变成访民), February 23, 2009. https://www.nchrd.org/Article/fmzj/200902/20090223140340_13858.html
” Laid-Off Workers From Ningxia ICBC Petition in Beijing, 3 Detained ” (宁夏工商银行买断职工北京上访维权三人被拘), February 26, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090226092203_13923.html>
“Nearly 10,000 Laid-Off Workers From 5 Major Banks Petition” (五大银行”买断职工”近万人持续上访), February 25, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090225224545_13907.html>
“Petitioner Detained and Beaten for Attempting to Appeal to Clinton”, February 28, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class9/Class10/200902/20090228025801_13961.html>
“Anhui Petitioner and Activist Wang Shixiang Detained in Black Jail” (安徽上访维权人士王士祥被关黑监狱), February 26, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/fmzj/200902/20090226201138_13931.html>
“Yu Tongan Returns Home to Surveillance” (余同安回家仍受监视), February 16, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090216085659_13710.html>
” Tide of Petitioners from Jilin, Liaoning, Ninxia Head to Beijing Ahead of Two Meetings ” (两会前出现访民潮 吉林、辽宁、宁夏访民纷纷进京), February 27, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/fmzj/200902/20090227153400_13950.html>
“New Flash: Guizhou Petitioner in Beijing Caught, Detained” (快讯：贵州访民在北京被警察抓捕关押), February 27, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/fmzj/200902/20090227222207_13957.html>
“Changchun Petitioner Yang Yimei Beaten While Petitioning in Beijing” (长春访民杨一美在北京上访遭殴打), February 9, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/fmzj/200902/20090209084413_13531.html>
” Zhejiang Activist Wu Gaoxing Summoned, Fined for Articles ” (浙江临海异议人士吴高兴因文章被传唤并遭罚款处罚), February 23, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090223113709_13855.html>
” International Journalist Association Condemns Attacks on CRLW Site” (国际记者联会谴责攻击民生观察网的行为), February 26, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090226135930_13927.html>
“Spanish Journalist Barred From Interviewing Worker; Suizhou TV Station Barred from Interviewing Liu Feiyue” (西班牙记者采访劳工受阻 随州电视台采访刘飞跃被拦), February 19, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090219123430_13786.html>
” Police Disrupt Beijing Aizhixing Institute Conference to Check Members’ IDs” (北京爱知行研究所遭警察检验与会者身份证), February 17, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090217221547_13751.html>
“Yantai Veterans’ Group Barred from Holding Memorial Rally; Organizers Missing” (烟台老兵集体纪念中越反击战30周年受阻 代表失踪), February 17, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090217193820_13744.html>
“Law Firm Punished for Advocating Direct Elections of Lawyers Association”, February 19, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class9/Class10/200902/20090219195717_13794.html>
” Guizhou Citizens Harassed by Police for Donations to Families of Sichuan Activists” (贵州公民捐款助四川民运人士家属受警方骚扰), February 26, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090226125526_13925.html>
” Rights of Wang Yi, Chen Wei and Others Violated by Chongqing Authorities; Chen Dayang Beaten” (王译、陈卫等人遭重庆国保非法侵犯人身自由 陈大杨遭遇暴力), February 26, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090226082519_13916.html>
“Activist Chen Wei Called in for ‘Tea'” (维权人士陈卫被遂宁国保请”喝茶”), February 27, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090227223414_13959.html>
“Five Detained for Organizing Factory Sit-in in Chongqing; Six Injured during Workers Demonstration in Sichuan Province”, February 25, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class9/Class10/200902/20090225202636_13905.html>
“3 Chongqing Silk Factory Worker Representatives Released, Two Still Detained ” (重庆铜梁县丝厂维权代表三人得释，两人仍被关押), March 2, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200903/20090302143952_14012.html>
“Five Detained for Organizing Factory Sit-in in Chongqing; Six Injured during Workers Demonstration in Sichuan Province”, February 25, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class9/Class10/200902/20090225202636_13905.html>
” Citizens Protest “Injustice” In Front of Chengdu Court; Dozens Detained” (手持”冤”字纸牌 成都中院前抗议数十冤民被抓), February 24, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090224000852_13866.html>
For more information, see: https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class53/200902/20090227121341_13947.html
“Tiananmen Mothers Call For Investigation into Massacre by Members of ‘Two Meetings'” (“天安门母亲”呼吁”两会”对”六四”进行调查), February 27, 2009. <https://www.nchrd.org/Article/Class71/200902/20090227155715_13954.html>
“General Administration of Press and Publishing: Civil Servants Cannot Reject Interviews Without Reason” (新闻出版总署：无正当理由公职人员不得拒绝采访), February 11, 2009. <http://news.163.com/09/0211/10/51S6B40600012QEA.html>
” Liaoning Provincial People’s Congress Invites Citizen Participation; No Right to Speak, but Submitting Written Suggestions Acceptable” (辽宁省人大出规则邀公民旁听 无发言权可提书面意见建议), February 20, 2009. <http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/0801/2009-02/20/content_1039521.htm>
“People’s Representative Take Inspection Tour of Detention Facilities in Torture Study” (遏制刑讯逼供：中国民意代表巡视羁押场所), February 7, 2009. <http://www.chinalnn.com/Html/Article/Class1/Class2/12930720090207120143.html>
“Wuhan Issues List of Prohibited Acts for Urban Inspection Officials” (武汉给城管戴上”紧箍咒” 触”六条禁令”可被开除), February 26, 2009. <http://www.legaldaily.com.cn/0801/2009-02/26/content_1043854.htm>