(WiPC/IFEX) – WiPC is dismayed to learn that on 21 December 1998 Xu Wenli, 55-year-old writer and veteran human rights activist, was sentenced to thirteen years in prison in a one-day trial. Xu was found guilty of attempting to overthrow the state by “secretly planning” to set up the unofficial Chinese Democratic Party (CDP) of […]
(WiPC/IFEX) – WiPC is dismayed to learn that on 21 December 1998 Xu Wenli,
55-year-old writer and veteran human rights activist, was sentenced to
thirteen years in prison in a one-day trial.
Xu was found guilty of attempting to overthrow the state by “secretly
planning” to set up the unofficial Chinese Democratic Party (CDP) of which
he is chairman. The CDP had been seeking to become legally recognised at the
time of Xu Wenli’s arrest on 1 December. Xu Wenli reportedly has no
intention of appealing against his sentence. Two other activists have also
been tried on similar charges for their involvement with the CDP; Wang
Youcai was sentenced to eleven years in prison on 22 December, and Qin
Yongmin is still awaiting the verdict of his trial.
Xu Wenli previously served a twelve-year prison term for his involvement in
the 1979 Democracy Wall Movement. He was released in May 1993.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the President:
campaigner
Xu Wenli in the strongest possible terms
right to
freedom of
expression and association as guaranteed by Article 19 of the United Nations
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Appeals To
His Excellency Jiang Zemin
President, State Council
Bejiing 100032
People’s Republic of China
Fax: +86 10 6512 5810/6467 7351
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
