(WiPC/IFEX) – International PEN WiPC is seriously concerned for two poets Xue Deyun (pen name Ma Zhe) and Xiong Jinren, who were reportedly arrested on 26 January 1998 and are believed to be still detained and awaiting trial. Xue Deyun and Xiong Jinren were reportedly arrested with two other poets, Ma Qiang and Wu Ruohai, […]
(WiPC/IFEX) – International PEN WiPC is seriously concerned for two poets
Xue Deyun (pen name Ma Zhe) and Xiong Jinren, who were reportedly arrested
on 26 January 1998 and are believed to be still detained and awaiting trial.
Xue Deyun and Xiong Jinren were reportedly arrested with two other poets, Ma
Qiang and Wu Ruohai, as they were preparing to launch an unofficial literary
journal supporting literary freedoms entitled “China Cultural Renaissance”.
The police reportedly raided the homes of the four men without a warrant and
confiscated draft copies of their work as well as address books. Wu Ruohai
and Ma Qiang were reportedly released on 20 March, but Xue Deyun and Xiong
Jinren are believed to be still in detention. No official reason has been
given for the arrests, although, according to a Hong Kong-based human rights
group, the two poets may be charged with “attempting to subvert the
government”. As of 27 April, the men were still detained and awaiting trial.
Xue Deyun was previously detained on 29 December 1986, and spent three years
in prison for taking part in the December 1986 student protests in Beijing.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
of poets Xue Deyun and Xiong Jinren
of their right to freedom of expression as guaranteed by Article 19 of the
United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Appeals To
Premier Li Peng
Office of the Premier
Guowuyan
9 Xihuangcheggenbeijie
Beijingshi 100032
P.R.China
Fax: +86 1 512 5810Jiang Zemin
President
State Council
Beijing 100032
P.R.China
Fax: +86 10 6512 5810Please copy appeals to the diplomatic representative in your country, and to
the source if possible.
