(WiPC/IFEX) – WiPC is seriously concerned about the detention of leading pro-democracy activist Jiang Qisheng. According to WiPCs information, Jiang Qisheng was arrested at his home at 11.35 p.m. (local time) on 18 May 1999. Following his arrest, a large group of police reportedly ransacked his home and took away his writing materials, overseas Chinese […]
(WiPC/IFEX) – WiPC is seriously concerned about the detention of leading
pro-democracy activist Jiang Qisheng. According to WiPCs information, Jiang
Qisheng was arrested at his home at 11.35 p.m. (local time) on 18 May 1999.
Following his arrest, a large group of police reportedly ransacked his home
and took away his writing materials, overseas Chinese magazines and his
son’s computer.
No charges against Jiang Qisheng have been made public, although according
to an article by Tong Yi, who was imprisoned in China from April 1994 to
October 1996 for her pro-democracy activities, he had reportedly given an
interview to “The Boston Globe” the day before his arrest. Tong Yi claims
that in the interview, Jiang was reportedly critical of the Chinese
government’s response to events in Kosova, and commented on the Chinese
government’s reaction to the NATO bombing of the Chinese embassy in
Belgrade. He had also reportedly recently published a declaration calling
for a full investigation into the events surrounding 4 June 1989.
Jiang Qisheng, aged 51, is a leading pro-democracy activist who has
frequently published articles in the overseas Chinese magazine Beijing
Spring. He has reportedly been active in the dissident community in Beijing
since 1989, when he was studying for a doctorate at Beijing People’s
University. He was imprisoned for seventeen months for his involvement in
the 1989 pro-democracy movement, and reportedly resumed his dissident
activities upon his release. He has reportedly been briefly detained on
several occasions for his dissident activities.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
opinions as guaranteed by Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil
and Political Rights to which China is a signatory
charged
with a recognisable criminal offence
and
medical care whilst in detention
Appeals To
His Excellency Jiang Zemin
State Council President
Beijing 100032
P.R.China.
Fax: +86 10 512 5810Please copy appeals to the diplomatic representative for China in your
country.In Canada please contact:
515 St. Patrick Street, Ottawa, K1N 5H3
tel: (613) 789-3434
fax: (613) 789-1911
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
