(CPJ/IFEX) – In a 23 May 2001 letter to Chinese President Jiang Zemin, CPJ expressed deep dismay at the decision to bring subversion charges against four Beijing intellectuals who had used the Internet to publish articles and essays on politically controversial topics. Yang Zili, a writer and web developer, Xu Wei, a reporter for the […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – In a 23 May 2001 letter to Chinese President Jiang Zemin, CPJ expressed deep dismay at the decision to bring subversion charges against four Beijing intellectuals who had used the Internet to publish articles and essays on politically controversial topics.
Yang Zili, a writer and web developer, Xu Wei, a reporter for the newspaper “Consumer Daily” (“Xiaofei Ribao”), Zhang Honghai, a free-lance writer, and Jin Haike, a geologist, were charged with subversion on 20 April, according to the Hong Kong-based Information Centre for Human Rights and Democracy. The four were active participants in the New Youth Study Group (Xin
Qingnian Xuehui), an informal gathering of individuals who explored topics related to political and social reform and used the Internet to circulate relevant articles.
Yang and Xu were detained separately on 13 March. Less is known about the circumstances under which Zhang and Jin were detained, but they were also taken into custody around mid-March, according to the Information Centre.
Yang, the most prominent member of the group, is well known in liberal academic circles for his Internet expertise, according to a recent report in The New York Times. His website, titled Yang Zili’s Garden of Ideas (Yangzi de Sixiang Jiayuan), featured poems, essays and reports by various authors on subjects ranging from the particular shortcomings of rural elections to broad discussions of political theory. Authorities shut down the site following Yang’s arrest, according to a well-informed source in the U.S. who did not wish to be identified but has set up a mirror site www.bringmenews.com/China/freeyzl/mirror/ that remained accessible as of 24 May.
When Xu was detained on 13 March, authorities confiscated his computer, reporting equipment, and books, according to an account published online by his girlfriend, Wang Ying. Public security officials also ordered the “Consumer Daily” to fire Xu, according to Wang’s account. The newspaper has refused to discuss Xu’s case with reporters, according to The Associated Press.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the president:
– stating that you are deeply disturbed that the Chinese government continues to wield subversion charges against people who publish politically controversial views
– noting that free and open discussions on social and political issues should not only be tolerated, but also actively encouraged by any government that wishes to undertake peaceful reform
– noting that China has signed the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, under which the Chinese government is obliged to ensure that citizens are free to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas of all kinds, without interference
– asking for the immediate and unconditional release of Yang Zili, Xu Wei, Zhang Honghai, and Jin Haike
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:
His Excellency Jiang Zemin
President, People’s Republic of China
Beijing 100032
People’s Republic of China
Fax: +86 10 6512 5810
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
