(WiPC/IFEX) – Gao Zhan, a research fellow at the American University in Washington, D.C., has been released on medical parole. She was freed on 26 July 2001, and returned immediately to join her family in the U.S. Gao had been convicted in a closed trial at the Beijing No. 1 Intermediate People’s Court on 24 […]
(WiPC/IFEX) – Gao Zhan, a research fellow at the American University in Washington, D.C., has been released on medical parole. She was freed on 26 July 2001, and returned immediately to join her family in the U.S. Gao had been convicted in a closed trial at the Beijing No. 1 Intermediate People’s Court on 24 July and sentenced to ten years in prison on charges of spying for Taiwan.
The WiPC of International PEN welcomes the release of scholar Gao on medical parole. However, the organisation remains concerned that the charges against her still stand, and may violate Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The WiPC therefore urges for her conviction to be quashed unless there is compelling evidence to support the charges against her.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Send appeals to authorities:
– welcoming Gao’s release
– expressing serious concern that the charges against her violate Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights
– urging that the conviction against her be quashed
Appeals To
His Excellency Jiang Zemin
State Council
Beijing 100032
P.R. ChinaHis Excellency Xiao Yang Buzhang
Minister of Justice
Sifabu
Xiaguangli
Beijing 100016
P.R. ChinaPlease note that fax numbers are no longer available for the Chinese authorities, so you may wish to ask the diplomatic representative for China in your country to forward your appeals.
Please copy appeals to the diplomatic representative for China in your country if possible.
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
