China Human Rights Briefing October 19-25, 2010
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October 19-25, 2010
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Highlights
- Harassment of Activists Continues: CHRD continued to collect reports this week of activists, dissidents, and supporters of Liu Xiaobo who have been harassed, placed under police surveillance, or had their movements restricted following the announcement that Liu had been awarded the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize. CHRD believes that Chinese authorities plan to maintain this high level of pressure on the Chinese activist community through December 10, when the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony will be held in Oslo, Norway.
- Jiangxi Activist Zhu Juru Arrested on “Inciting Subversion” Charges: CHRD learned this week that veteran petitioner-turned-activist Zhu Juru (朱菊如) has been arrested in Jiangxi Province on charges of “inciting subversion of state power.” Reportedly, he was arrested in retaliation for distributing leaflets and posting articles online.
- Appeal Hearing Held for Dangerously Ill Sichuan Activist Liu Zhengyou: On the morning of October 21, Sichuan human rights defender Liu Zhengyou’s (刘正有) appeal of his August 2010 conviction for “fraud” was heard by the Zigong City Intermediate Court. CHRD was concerned to learn that authorities at the Zigong City Detention Center, where Liu is being held, had stated they were “unable to provide effective treatment” for Liu’s high blood pressure in a letter dated August 5.
Contents
Updates on Post-Nobel Harassment of Activists
Police and Security Guards in Beijing Briefly Detain Two Scholars
Beijing Security Police Kidnap and Briefly Detain Bookstore Owner Liu Suli
Police in Guiyang Disrupt Meeting of Guizhou Human Rights Forum
Freedom of Expression
Authorities Step up Control over QQ Groups Following Recent Wave of Anti-Japan Protests
Arbitrary Detention
Jiangxi Activist Zhu Juru Arrested on “Inciting Subversion” Charges
Appeal Hearing Held for Sichuan Activist Liu Zhengyou, Detention Center Staff Voice Concerns over Health
Liaoning Petitioner Describes Illegal Detention, Beatings
Jiangxi Petitioner Held in Beijing Black Jail for Three Days
Missing Hubei Activist Yao Lifa Believed to be Held in Enshi City
Freedom of Assembly
Xi’an Universities Lock Down Campuses to Prevent Students from Participating in Anti-Japan Protests
Freedom of Religion
Police in Beijing Increase Pressure on Local Christian Activists
Updates on Post-Nobel Harassment of Activists
Police and Security Guards in Beijing Briefly Detain Two Scholars
On October 21, security guards at the Beijing Film Academy prevented Professor Cui Weiping (崔卫平) from attending a cultural event hosted by the Czech Embassy in Beijing. Cui was briefly taken to a local police station before the security guards transported her first back to campus and then later to her home. Retired Academy of Social Sciences researcher Xu Youyu (徐友渔) was similarly detained by security guards and police; he reported being held from 5 pm until shortly before 9 pm. Both had been invited by the Czech embassy to attend an art exhibition followed by a musical performance. According to Xu, police prevented him from attending the event because they believed it was “related to Liu Xiaobo (刘晓波).” Ms. Cui and Mr. Xu initiated a public petition drive demanding Chinese authorities release Liu which has been signed by more than 800 Chinese citizens to date. In 2009, Cui and Xu traveled to Prague to accept a human rights award on behalf of Liu Xiaobo and Charter 08. (CHRD)[i]
Beijing Security Police Kidnap and Briefly Detain Bookstore Owner Liu Suli
Also on October 21, bookstore owner and scholar Liu Suli (刘苏里) was kidnapped outside of his home by unidentified individuals. According to his wife, who was returning home with Liu when he was seized, a group of men forced Liu into a van but would not say why he was being kidnapped or where they were taking him. Liu’s wife reported recognizing one of the men as a National Security officer. Liu was released the next morning and returned home; however, further details regarding his kidnapping remain unknown. Liu, a 1989 student protest participant, has been a supporter of Liu Xiaobo. (CHRD)[ii]
Police in Guiyang Disrupt Meeting of Guizhou Human Rights Forum
A meeting of the Guizhou Human Rights Forum in Guiyang City’s Riverside Park on the afternoon of October 22 was broken up by Guiyang City National Security officers, who briefly detained activist Chen Xi (陈西) at the scene. Many members were not able to even make it that far: activists Mo Jiangang (莫建刚) and Chen Defu (陈德富) were called for “tea” by police shortly before the meeting was scheduled to take place. Police stood guard outside of the homes of Shen Youlian (申有连), Xu Guoqing (徐国庆), and Wang Zang (王藏) to prevent them from leaving to attend the meeting. Other activists, including Wu Yuqin (吴玉琴) and Liao Shuangyuan (廖双元), could not be reached by phone and were believed to be subject to “soft detention.” Members of the Guizhou Forum have been outspoken in celebrating Liu Xiaobo’s winning of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize and demanding his release. (CHRD)[iii]
CHRD also learned of the following cases of harassment which took place over the past week:
- On the morning of October 25, Shanghai activist Feng Zhenghu (冯正虎) was accompanying a friend to a local hospital when he was seized by police and taken away. Friends and fellow activists have so far been unable to reach Feng or learn more about his whereabouts. Feng’s detention is believed to be related not only to heightened tensions following the awarding of the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize to Liu Xiaobo, but also to local officials’ desire to prevent any “sensitive” individuals from causing trouble during the closing days of the Shanghai Expo.[iv]
- On October 25, Democracy activist Zhao Changqing (赵常青) was once again seized by National Security officers in Beijing and forced to return to his hometown in Shaanxi Province. Zhao was forcibly returned to Shaanxi on October 17, but had managed to return to Beijing on October 24.[v]
- Under pressure from Chinese authorities, the website 1984 BBS (http://1984bbs.com), an online discussion forum dedicated to discussion of current events and the publication of news censored elsewhere by the government, was shut down on October 12. The website’s founder, Secretary Zhang (张书记) has been under “soft detention” since October 8, and reported on his Twitter account October 19 that he “may be sent back to his hometown.” To protect his family’s safety, Secretary Zhang has declined interview requests and refused to speak more on restrictions he is currently facing. (CHRD)[vi]
- Plainclothes police officers arrived at the Shandong Province, Jinan City home of activist Hou Zonglan (侯宗兰) on the morning of October 19 and, displaying a summons notice, took her in for questioning related to her celebrations in honor of Liu Xiaobo. (CHRD)[vii]
- CHRD learned on October 19 that Liu Xia’s (刘 霞) internet access may have been severed. It is unclear when authorities will allow her access to the internet. Liu, who is Liu Xiaobo’s wife, has been under tight surveillance by police since her husband was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and has had her cell phone service blocked as well. Prior to October 19, however, she had been able to access the internet and use Twitter to communicate with the outside world. On October 18, she sent a single tweet, her last to date, which read: “It’s me…Don’t worry.”
- Ding Zilin (丁子霖) and her husband have been out of contact since October 7. Repeated efforts to reach her have failed. Ding, a former professor at People’s University, is the leader of the Tiananmen Mothers, a group of relatives of those killed during the 1989 Beijing Massacre. CHRD has also been unable to reach dissident writer Jiang Qisheng (江 棋生), who, like Ding, is visiting Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province.
- Friends have been unable to reach Bao Tong (鲍 彤), former aide to Zhao Ziyang, (赵 紫阳), and believe that his telephone may have been cut off. Mr. Bao had given many press interviews after the Nobel announcement, but has recently fallen silent.
- Several other activists in Beijing have reported an increased police presence outside of their homes in recent days, including writer Yu Jie (余 杰), activist Zhang Hui (张 辉), and others who do not wish their names to be made public.
Freedom of Expression
Authorities Step up Control over QQ Groups Following Recent Wave of Anti-Japan Protests
Following the latest round of anti-Japan protests, which began in cities across China on October 16, internet censors have stepped up their monitoring of the online messaging service QQ, which many believe was used to organize the demonstrations. Pictures containing times and locations for protests were circulated among netizens in QQ groups; in response, authorities have disabled the image-transmission capabilities of all domestic QQ groups. Some QQ groups, primarily focused on social-political issues and whose membership is made up of young Chinese, have been blocked entirely. (CHRD)[viii]
Arbitrary Detention
Jiangxi Activist Zhu Juru Arrested on “Inciting Subversion” Charges
According to CRLW, Jiangxi activist Zhu Juru (朱菊如) has been arrested on suspicion of “inciting subversion of state power.” Zhu’s sister was told by public security officials in Xinyu City, Jiangxi, that Zhu’s arrest had been approved on October 14 and that he had been arrested for distributing leaflets and posting articles online. Over the past few years, Zhu, a former teacher, has taken part in numerous activities to promote human rights and democracy. He was briefly detained in 2006 for hosting a forum on elections and social change, and was sent to one year of Re-education through Labor (RTL) in October 2008 for “inciting subversion of state power.” (CRLW)[ix]
Appeal Hearing Held for Sichuan Activist Liu Zhengyou, Detention Center Staff Voice Concerns over Health
On the morning of October 21, Sichuan human rights defender Liu Zhengyou’s (刘正有) appeal of his August 2010 conviction for “fraud” was heard in an open court session by the Zigong City Intermediate Court. The hearing ended without a verdict. Liu, who is serving a 2-year sentence, is the only one of four original co-defendants to remain in detention, and CHRD believes that local officials have singled him out for harsher punishment as a way of intimidating other local activists.
CHRD also learned that the authorities at the Zigong City Detention Center, where Liu is being held, sent a letter to Ziliujing District government officials on August 5 to voice concerns about Liu’s high blood pressure. According to the letter, the detention center staff is “unable to provide effective treatment” for Liu, and are concerned that he may suffer a stroke or other complications as a result. (CHRD)[x]
Liaoning Petitioner Describes Illegal Detention, Beatings
On October 15, Liaoning petitioner Zhu Guiqin (朱桂琴) was seized in Beijing and forcibly returned to her hometown of Fushun City, where she was detained in a black jail. Before dawn on October 21, Zhu was awakened by a group of more than 10 guards, who beat her unconscious with electric batons and water bottles and forced her into a car. She was driven to an unknown location and left without her cell phone, money, or ID card, all of which had been stolen by the individuals responsible for detaining her. Zhu, who stated that she was beaten on other occasions during her detention, was able to return safely to her home later that morning. (CHRD)[xi]
Jiangxi Petitioner Held in Beijing Black Jail for Three Days
Jiangxi petitioner Li Shanwen (李善文) was seized by police in Beijing while passing through Tiananmen Square on October 17 and turned over to the Beijing Liaison Office of the Jiangxi Provincial Government. Li says she was then handed off to men she identified as “hired criminals” who mistreated and abused her while placing her in illegal detention. Li was held in a black jail for three days, guarded by four criminals, until officials from her hometown arrived to pick up Li and other petitioners, claiming they had to spend 8000 RMB to have them held in the black jail. Li has been petitioning since 2007, when she was attacked and beaten following a labor dispute with her employer. (CHRD)[xii]
Missing Hubei Activist Yao Lifa Believed to be Held in Enshi City
On October 19, CHRD reported on the disappearance of human rights defender and elections expert Yao Lifa (姚立法) from Qianjiang City, Hubei Province. According to Yao’s wife, Yao is being held under “soft detention” in nearby Enshi City, Hubei. Officials at the school where Yao is employed indicated he would be allowed to return on October 28. It is believed that his disappearance is related not only to heightened controls on prominent activists around the country, but also to an upcoming festival honoring the late playwright Cao Yu (曹禺), who was born in Qianjiang. The Qianjiang authorities reportedly received information that Yao had planned to organize activities to celebrate Liu Xiaobo’s Peace Prize during the festival. (CHRD)[xiii]
Freedom of Assembly
Xi’an Universities Lock Down Campuses to Prevent Students from Participating in Anti-Japan Protests
CHRD learned on October 17 that Jiaotong University and Xidian University in Xi’an have begun requiring that students formally request and obtain written permission before entering or exiting the school gats. The campus lockdowns were reportedly prompted by concern over a recent wave of anti-Japan protests. It is not clear how long the restrictions will be in place. (CHRD)[xiv]
Freedom of Religion
Police in Beijing Increase Pressure on Local Christian Activists
Beijing activist Fan Yafeng (范亚峰) was seized at his home on the morning of October 20 and taken away by police. Reportedly, Fan had been preparing to hold a symposium that morning to discuss the efforts of Chinese authorities to prevent Chinese evangelicals from traveling to the Lausanne Congress in South Africa. It is believed Fan’s detention is related to this planned event. CHRD has also learned that other prominent Christian activists in Beijing, including Chen Tianshi (陈天石) and Yu Jie (余杰) have been placed under tight surveillance by police and have had their movements restricted. (CHRD)[xv]
Editors: David Smalls and Lin Sang
[i] “A Number of Scholars in Beijing Obstructed, Kidnapped, and Harassed on the Same Day” (北京几名学者同日受到阻止、绑架与骚扰), October 22, 2010, http://news.boxun.com/news/gb/china/2010/10/201010221129.shtml
[ii] “A Number of Scholars in Beijing Obstructed, Kidnapped, and Harassed on the Same Day” (北京几名学者同日受到阻止、绑架与骚扰), October 22, 2010, http://news.boxun.com/news/gb/china/2010/10/201010221129.shtml
[iii] “Guizhou Human Rights Forum Statement: Trampling on the Constitution Has no Happy Ending” (贵州人权研讨会声明：践踏宪法，没有好下场), October 22, 2010, http://news.boxun.com/news/gb/china/2010/10/201010222047.shtml
[iv] “Shanghai Activist Feng Zhenghu Taken Away by Police, Loses Contact with Outside World” (上海维权人 士冯正虎被警察带走与外界失去联系), October 25, 2010, http://news.boxun.com/news/gb/china/2010/10/201010252218.shtml
[v] “Democracy Activist Zhao Changqing Once Again Forcibly Returned to Shaanxi” (民主维权人士赵常青再次被 遣送回陕西), October 25, 2010, http://news.boxun.com/news/gb/china/2010/10/201010250800.shtml
[vi] “For Discussing Liu Xiaobo’s Prize, 1984BBS Website Secretary Zhang Under Soft Detention for 12 Days” (因讨论刘晓波获奖，“1984BBS”站长张书记被软禁12天(图)), October 20, 2010, http://news.boxun.com/news/gb/china/2010/10/201010201816.shtml
[vii] “Jinan Activist Hou Zonglan Summoned for Celebrating Liu Xiaobo’s Nobel Peace Prize” (因庆祝刘晓 波获诺奖济南维权人士侯宗兰被传唤), October 20, 2010, http://news.boxun.com/news/gb/china/2010/10/201010202131.shtml
[viii] “Internet Controls Heightened Following Anti-Japanese Protests Take Place in Many Parts of China” (中国多地发生反日游行后网络被进一步封锁), October 19, 2010, http://news.boxun.com/news/gb/china/2010/10/201010191051.shtml
[ix] “Jiangxi Teacher Zhu Juru Arrested for Inciting Subversion of State Power” (江西教师朱菊如被以煽动颠覆国家政权罪逮捕), October 22, 2010, http://news.boxun.com/news/gb/china/2010/10/201010221737.shtml
[x] “Second Instance Trial of Liu Zhengyou Case Opens; Detention Center Claims He Has Reached Deadly Blood Pressure” (刘正有案二审开庭 看守所称其达到死亡血压(图)), October 21, 2010,
http://news.boxun.com/news/gb/china/2010/10/201010212259.shtml
[xi] “Liaoning Petitioner Zhu Guiqin Intercepted and Tortured During Fifth Plenum of the 17th CPC Central Committee” (辽宁访民朱桂琴五中全会期间被截访后遭酷刑), October 21, 2010, http://news.boxun.com/news/gb/china/2010/10/201010211021.shtml
[xii] “Jiangxi Petitioner Li Shanwen Imprisoned by Criminals Employed by the Beijing Liaision Office of the Provincial Government” (江西访民李善文被省驻京办雇黑社会囚禁(图)), October 20, 2010, http://news.boxun.com/news/gb/china/2010/10/201010202318.shtml
[xiii] “Hubei Elections Expert Yao Lifa Believed to Be Under Soft Detention in Enshi” (湖北选举专家姚立法疑被软禁 在恩施), October 20, 2010, http://news.boxun.com/news/gb/china/2010/10/201010202356.shtml
[xiv] “To Prevent Anti-Japanese Demonstrations, Xi’an Universities Begins Requiring Permits to Enter or Exit Campus” (为阻止反日游行，西安的大学出入校门需请假(图)), October 17, 2010, http://www.peacehall.com/news/gb/china/2010/10/201010171648.shtml
[xv] “Christian Fan Yafeng Taken Away” (基督徒范亚峰被警察带走), October 20, 2010, http://news.boxun.com/news/gb/china/2010/10/201010200815.shtml
