(WiPC/IFEX) – WiPC has received official confirmation that poet Xiong Jinren (also known as Xiong Xiang) was freed sometime after February 1998 (exact date not known). Poet Xue Deyun, who was arrested with him, was reportedly charged in February 1998 under Article 105.2 of the Chinese Penal Code with attempting to “overthrow…the socialist system” by […]
(WiPC/IFEX) – WiPC has received official confirmation that poet Xiong
Jinren (also known as Xiong Xiang) was freed sometime after February
1998 (exact date not known). Poet Xue Deyun, who was arrested with him,
was reportedly charged in February 1998 under Article 105.2 of the
Chinese Penal Code with attempting to “overthrow…the socialist system”
by “engaging in subversive activities.” Although no exact details have
been given of the reasons for the charges against Xue Deyun, the charges
are believed to relate to his involvement with an unofficial journal
supporting literary freedoms entitled “China Cultural Renaissance”. The
charges are punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment. Xue Deyun
remains detained and judicial proceedings
against him are underway at Guiyang Municipal People’s Court.
Background Information
Xue Deyun and Xiong Jinren were arrested on 26 January 1998 with two
other poets, Ma Qiang and Wu Ruohai, as all four men were preparing to
launch the unofficial journal “China Cultural Renaissance”. Ma Qiang and
Wu Ruohai were reportedly released on 20 March 1998.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
Deyun while welcoming news of the release of poet Xiong Jinren
peaceful expression of his opinions
accordance with Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration
of Human Rights
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:
His Excellency Premier Zhu Ronji
Office of the Premier
Guowuyan
9 Xihuancheggenbeijie
Beijingshi 100032
People’s Republic of China.
Fax: +86 1 512 5810President Jiang Zemin
State Council
Beijingshi 100032
People’s Republic of China.
Fax: +86 10 6512 5810Please copy appeals to the diplomatic representative for China in your
country if possible.In Canada, send appeals to:
His Excellency Peixin Zha
Ambassador
Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
515 St. Patrick Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1N 5H3
Fax: +1 613 789 1911
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
