China Human Rights Briefing February 23-28, 2011
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China Human Rights Briefing Weekly
February 23-28, 2011
To download this week’s CHRB as a .pdf file, please click here
Highlights
- Pressure on Activists Intensifies; Six Criminal Detentions Confirmed: Police continued to clamp down on human rights defenders across the country in response to another round of anonymous calls for “Jasmine Revolution” protests this week. CHRD has now confirmed six reports of individuals being criminally detained on “endangering state security” charges, including “subversion of state power” and “inciting subversion of state power,” as well as one report of an individual being administratively detained and one arbitrarily detained in a psychiatric institution.
- Baihutou Villagers Put on Trial in Beihai City: Baihutou village head Xu Kun (许坤) and two fellow villagers detained after resisting forced evictions in their seaside community were tried on February 28 for “operating an illegal business” and “obstructing official business.” Scores of supporters gathered outside the courthouse, where clashes with police and at least one injury to an elderly woman were reported. The hearing ended without a verdict.
Contents
Updates on Detentions and Disappearances Related to “Jasmine Revolution” Protests
- Guangdong Activist Zheng Chuangtian Criminally Detained for “Inciting Subversion”
- Anhui Activists Targeted by Police: Qian Jin Held in Psychiatric Hospital, Zhang Lin’s Home Searched
- Beijing Dissident Li Hai Once Again Missing
- Police Search Shandong Home of Retired Professor Sun Wenguang, Summon Him for Questioning
Arbitrary Detention
- Hundreds of Petitioners Rounded up in Beijing Ahead of Government Meetings
Forced Eviction and Demolition
- Trial Begins for Baihutou Villagers Charged with Crimes After Resisting Forced Evictions
Freedom of Assembly
- Police in Hubei Break up House Church Legal Rights Workshop
Harassment of Activists
- Anhui-based Dissidents Face Questioning from National Security Officers over “Jasmine Revolution”
Updates on Detentions and Disappearances Related to “Jasmine Revolution” Protests
Police across the country remained active this past week as another call for “Jasmine Revolution” protests circulated online. Since February 19, CHRD has confirmed reports of over 100 activists and dissidents who have been harassed, interrogated, placed under strict surveillance or “soft detention,” or otherwise had their movements restricted.
In the past week, CHRD has confirmed the criminal detentions of Ran Yunfei (冉云飞) and Ding Mao (丁矛), of Sichuan Province; Hua Chunhui (华春晖), of Jiangsu Province; as well as Liang Haiyi (梁海怡) and Zheng Chuangtian (郑创添), of Guangdong Province. Together with CHRD’s earlier report regarding the detention of Sichuan activist Chen Wei (陈卫), a total of six activists have been criminally detained in relation to the online call for protests.
At least one individual has been administratively detained and one is known to have been detained in a psychiatric institution. One lawyer was attacked and beaten and at least 11 activists and dissidents have had their homes searched and property confiscated. For CHRD’s statement on the ongoing crackdown, please click here. Additional cases are included below:
Guangdong Activist Zheng Chuangtian Criminally Detained for “Inciting Subversion”
Human rights activist Zheng Chuangtian (郑创添) was criminally detained for “inciting subversion of state power” by police in Huilai County, Jieyang City, Guangdong Province on February 26. Officers also searched Zheng’s home; it is not known what, if anything, they confiscated. Further details regarding Zheng’s case are not currently available. To date, Zheng is the sixth individual known to have been criminally detained in relation to the online calls for “Jasmine Revolution” protests. (CHRD)[i]
Anhui Activists Targeted by Police: Qian Jin Held in Psychiatric Hospital, Zhang Lin’s Home Searched
CHRD previously reported that Anhui Province-based pro-democracy activist Qian Jin (钱进) was seized by National Security police in Bangbu City on February 25. On February 26, a group of police officers escorted Qian to his home, where they confiscated his computer. They then led Qian away once again, and he has not been seen since. On February 28, fellow activists learned from Qian’s sister that Qian has been detained in Nanjing City’s Huaiyuan Psychiatric Hospital. (CHRD)[ii]
Additionally, CHRD continues to collect reports of Anhui-based activists being harassed and questioned by the authorities. On February 26, police interrogated activist Zhang Lin (张林) and his wife Fang Cao (方草); Zhang was held overnight. Officers later searched the couple’s home, confiscating three computers. (CHRD)[iii]
Beijing Dissident Li Hai Once Again Missing
On the morning of February 25, democracy and human rights activist Li Hai (李海) was taken away from his home outside Beijing by local police. He returned home late that evening, but was warned not to leave his home, go online, or attempt to contact anyone. On February 26, Li sent a message to friends alerting them that he was being guarded by three men, and that if he turned his cell phone off it meant that there was trouble. Shortly after three o’clock in the afternoon, CHRD attempted to contact Li but found that his phone was already off. CHRD believes that he has been taken away by police; however, further information is currently unavailable. (CHRD)[iv]
Police Search Shandong Home of Retired Professor Sun Wenguang, Summon Him for Questioning
On February 26, police arrived at the home of retired Shandong University professor Sun Wenguang (孙文广). After searching the residence, officers confiscated a computer and a 100-page manuscript draft belonging Sun. They then took Sun in to a local police station for approximately seven hours of questioning. He was released that evening. (CHRD)[v]
Additionally:
- Zhou Zhirong (周志荣): On February 24, rights activist Zhou Zhirong (周志荣), of Zhuzhou City, Hunan Province, went missing after traveling to Huaihua City, Hunan, to meet with a former classmate. His whereabouts are unknown. A local Huaihua activist, Li Jianjun (黎建军) was reportedly questioned about Zhou’s visit during four hours of interrogation that afternoon by local National Security officials.
- Gu Chuan (古川): Friends and relatives remain concerned about Beijing intellectual and activist Gu Chuan (古川), who has been missing since February 19. Gu’s wife Li Xin’ai (李昕艾) has been left alone to care for the couple’s two children, a 21 month-old son and a four year-old son; the younger son has been diagnosed with gastroenteritis and may need to be hospitalized if his condition does not improve.
Arbitrary Detention
Hundreds of Petitioners Rounded up in Beijing Ahead of Government Meetings
Since February 25, police in Beijing have been systematically rounding up petitioners to prevent any disturbances during the “Two Meetings” of the National People’s Congress and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. On the morning of February 27 alone, CHRD learned that close to 200 individuals, including veteran Hubei petitioner Zheng Dajing (郑大靖), had been seized by police and taken to Jiujingzhuang, a central black jail. Jiangsu petitioner Hao Xiuxia (郝秀侠) reported that she and more than a dozen fellow petitioners were taken to Jiujingzhuang on February 25. Her current whereabouts are unknown. Most petitioners taken to Jiujingzhung are then turned over to interceptors from their hometowns and forcibly returned home, often to detention.[vi]
Additionally, many veteran activists and dissidents, and their families, are facing increased restrictions as the “Two Meetings” approach. For example, CHRD recently learned that, since February 26, Jin Yan (金焰), wife of imprisoned Hunan human rights activst Xie Fulin (谢福林), has been under 24-hour surveillance and monitoring. (CHRD)[vii]
Forced Eviction and Demolition
Trial Begins for Baihutou Villagers Charged with Crimes After Resisting Forced Evictions
On the morning of February 28, Baihutou village head Xu Kun (许坤) was tried for “operating an illegal business” in Beihai City’s Yinhai District Court. Fellow villagers and activists Gao Shifu (高世福) and Zhang Chunqiong (张春琼) were tried for “obstructing official business” at the same hearing. Lawyer Teng Biao (滕彪), one of Xu Kun’s attorneys, did not appear in court as he has been missing for ten days and is believed to be in police custody. Lawyers Zheng Jianwei (郑建伟), Peng Yongfeng (彭永峰) and Ma Xiaopeng (马小鹏) represented Xu, Gao, and Zhang. Approximately 30 supporters were allowed into the courtroom to observe the trial, while another hundred or so were barred from attending the hearing and waited outside, where a number of clashes broke out between villagers and security personnel. According to reports, one woman, one of Xu’s aunts, was struck by a police officer. The hearing ended without a verdict.
Xu, Gao, and Zhang have been detained since May 2010. Zhang was released on bail to await trial on October 12, 2010 but taken back into detention on November 12. Altogether, eight villagers have been detained for their opposition to the land grab in Baihutou, including three who have been sentenced to prison for “obstructing official business.” (CHRD)[viii]
Freedom of Assembly
Police in Hubei Break up House Church Legal Rights Workshop
On February 23, police and officials in-charge of managing religious affairs in Zaoyang City, Hubei Province, broke up a meeting of approximately 40 Christian house church members, taking all of the attendees to a local police station. The group had convened the meeting to listen to a talk by a lawyer on defending the legal rights of house churches. Reportedly, some of the church members were roughly handled by police, and some had computers or other items confiscated. As of that evening, all but two of the detained Christians had been released. (CHRD)[ix]
Harassment of Activists
Anhui-based Dissidents Face Questioning from National Security Officers over “Jasmine Revolution”
Police around the country continue to harass and intimidate dissidents and activists in relation to the “Jasmine Revolution” protests. On February 22, CHRD learned that dissident Shen Liangqing (沈良庆) was visited by National Security officers in Hefei City, Anhui Province for a “chat.” Shen learned from these officers that provincial-level officials had called for a unified campaign to question all Anhui dissidents, and individuals such as Zhang Lin (张林), in Bangbu City, and Hou Wenbao (侯文豹), in Suzhou City, had already been visited. National Security officers also told Hefei dissident Ma Liangang (马粮钢) they would be by to talk with him on the 23rd. (CHRD)[x]
Editors: David Smalls and Lin Sang
Follow us on Twitter: @CHRDnet
[i] “Guangdong Dissident Zheng Chuangtian Criminally Detained” (广东异议人士郑创天被刑事拘留), February 27, 2011, http://www.newcenturynews.com/Article/china/201102/20110227165135.html
[ii] “Bangbu Democracy and Human Rights Activist Qian Jin Detained in Nanjing Psychiatric Institution” (蚌埠民主维权人士钱进被关进南京 军区精神病院), February 28, 2011, http://newcenturynews.com/Article/china/201102/20110228202634.html
[iii] “Six Bangbu Democracy Activists Suffer Pressure from Officials; Whereabouts of One Still Unknown” (六名蚌埠民运人士遭打压，其中一 人迄今下落不明), February 27, 2011, http://newcenturynews.com/Article/china/201102/20110227190339.html
[iv] “Zhang Lin Taken Away by Police, Li Hai Once Again Missing” (张林被警方带走，李海再次失踪), February 26, 2011, http://blog.boxun.com/hero/201102/chrd/34_1.shtml
[v] “Sun Wenguang, of Shandong, Returns Home; Duan Qixian, of Guangxi, Placed under Soft Detention” (山东孙文广教授回家，广西端启宪 先生被软禁), February 26, 2011, http://groups.google.com/group/weiquanwang_CHRD/browse_thread/thread/0fc99a94dd22e3f5/8c96cc86b67c452d?lnk=raot
[vi] “200 Petitioners, Including Zheng Dajing, Detained at Jiujingzhuang Black Jail” (郑大靖等200余名访民被关久敬庄黑监狱), February 27, 2011, http://newcenturynews.com/Article/china/201102/20110227131640.html, “Jiangsu Petitioner Hao Xiuxia and Others Seized, Detained in Jiujingzhuang” (江苏访民郝秀侠等人被抓往久敬庄 关押),February 27, 2011, http://newcenturynews.com/Article/china/201102/20110227165345.html
[vii] “As Two Meetings Approach, Xie Fulin’s Wife Faces Surveillance and Monitoring” (两会来临，谢福林妻子遭全面监控), February 27, 2011, http://newcenturynews.com/Article/china/201102/20110228135333.html
[viii] “Trial of Baihutou’s Xu Kun Begins Today, Beihai Government Fights Imaginary Enemies” (北海许坤案今日开庭，北海政府草 木皆兵), February 28, 2011, http://newcenturynews.com/Article/china/201102/20110228135503.html
[ix] “Authorities in Zaoyang, Hubei Break Up Christian Legal Activity” (湖北枣阳市当局冲击基督教法律学 习活动), February 23, 2011, http://peacehall.com/news/gb/china/2011/02/201102240022.shtml
[x] “Internet Spreads Chinese Jasmine Revolution, Hefei Dissident Shen Liangqing and Others Called for ‘Chats’ with Police” (网传中国茉莉花革命，合肥异议人 士沈良庆等人遭警方“谈话”), February 23, 2011, http://boxun.com/hero/201102/chrd/16_1.shtml