China Human Rights Briefing August 10-15, 2011

August 16, 2011 Comments Off

China Human Rights Briefing

August 10-15, 2011

To download this week’s CHRB as a .pdf file, please click here

Highlights

Updates on Detentions and Disappearances Related to the “Jasmine Revolution” Crackdown: The trial of Wang Lihong (王荔蕻) opened and concluded in the morning of August 12, with the verdict to be announced at a later date. The proceedings were procedurally flawed, according to her lawyer, and many individuals were temporarily detained around the time of the trial. In addition, Huang Chengcheng (黄成诚), a Chongqing resident initially detained on March 19, has been given a two-year RTL punishment for sending out “Jasmine”-related messages.

Anhui Dissident Suspected of “Inciting Subversion”: On August 15, CHRD learned that the charge on which the Bengbu City activist Wu Yuebao (吴乐宝) has been criminally detained is “inciting subversion of state power.” Wu was first taken into custody in mid-July, and his family and friends have not known since that time where he is being held.

Contents

Arbitrary Detention

Updates on Detentions and Disappearances Related to the “Jasmine Revolution” Crackdown
Wang Lihong’s Trial Marred by Procedural Violations; Supporters Detained by Police Later Released
Chongqing Resident Sent to Two Years of RTL for “Jasmine”-Related Messages
Hubei Activist, Detained in February, Arrested for “Inciting Subversion”
Sichuan Activist Ran Yunfei Released, Begins Six-Month “Residential Surveillance”
Anhui Dissident Wu Yuebao Suspected of “Inciting Subversion”
Guangdong Petitioner Held in Psychiatric Institution for Past Five Months

Harassment of Activists

Security Officers Confine Hunan Activist During International Sports Competition

Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment

Hunan Activist Beaten, Subjected to Solitary Confinement in RTL Facility

Citizens’ Actions

Aizhixing Criticizes Hubei Police Crackdown on Sex Workers

Arbitrary Detention

Updates on Detentions and Disappearances Related to the “Jasmine Revolution” Crackdown

Wang Lihong’s Trial Marred by Procedural Violations; Supporters Detained by Police Later Released

On August 12, the trial of human rights activist Wang Lihong (王荔蕻) for “creating a disturbance” took just two-and-a-half hours and was beset by procedural violations, according to Wang’s lawyers. The trial was held at the Wenyuhe Courthouse of the Chaoyang District People’s Court in Beijing, and concluded without a verdict being announced. Hundreds of people—supporters, uniformed and plainclothes police, journalists, and diplomats—gathered outside the courthouse. Chinese authorities detained individuals both in the days before the trial and in the morning before the proceedings began.

After the trial, one of Wang’s lawyers, Han Yicun (韩一村), noted that the proceedings were procedurally flawed and that the court had essentially created the atmosphere of a “closed” trial. Han was hindered in his defense arguments since prosecutors were given more time during their cross-examination of Wang, and the judge interrupted both Han and Wang as they were making their statements. Although the court had declared the trial open to the public, virtually all applications to attend had been rejected, including from foreign diplomats. Also, only five seats in the small courtroom were designated for observers, but two of them were occupied by uniformed police and two by plainclothes police; the other one was occupied by Wang’s son, Qi Jianxiang (齐健翔). In their respective written defense statements (click to read full texts), Han Yicun described the prosecution as political persecution and argued for judicial independence to ensure the protection of citizens’ civil rights, while lawyer Liu Xiaoyuan (刘晓原) pointed out numerous errors in the investigation and indictment.

Most of Wang’s supporters known to have been detained have since been released, including at least 20 individuals taken away outside the courthouse on the morning of August 12. In addition, on August 13, Wu Huaying (吴华英), a defendant in the “Fujian Three” netizens’ defamation case, was taken by interceptors back to Fujian Province after being seized in Beijing on August 11 and held in a black jail. (Wang’s trial stemmed from her participation in protests outside the sentencing hearing for the netizens in April 2010 in Fuzhou City, Fujian.) The activist Zhao Lianhai (赵连海) was forcibly taken from his home by more than 10 police officers after showing his support for Wang outside the courthouse. He was released on the afternoon of August 13. (CHRD)[i]

Chongqing Resident Sent to Two Years of RTL for “Jasmine”-Related Messages

Huang Chengcheng (黄成诚), a Chongqing Municipality resident initially detained on March 19, was issued two years of Re-education through Labor (RTL) by the Chongqing City RTL Committee on April 18 for sending out “Jasmine”-related messages online. According to the RTL decision, Huang is being punished for “inciting subversion of state power” (煽动颠覆国家政权罪) for messages he posted from February 20 to March 17 inviting others to meet him around the Chongqing People’s Liberation Monument, where he would be carrying flowers or “jasmine tea.” After taking Huang into custody, officers from the Bishan District Public Security Bureau questioned him continuously for three days, during which time he was slapped and had boiling water splashed on him. Despite such coercive measures, Huang insisted he had not participated in “Jasmine” activities. He is being held at the Xishanping RTL facility in Chongqing, and those who have seen him during brief visits have reported that his mood is stable.

Huang had previously served three years in prison for “inciting subversion” for writing an article in 2004 calling on Chinese youth to not accept the “imprisonment of Communist ideology.” Huang is the sixth individual known to have been issued an RTL punishment during the government’s crackdown following online calls for “Jasmine Revolution” in February. (CHRD)[ii]

Hubei Activist, Detained in February, Arrested for “Inciting Subversion”

Gao Chunlian (高纯炼), an elementary school teacher, rights activist, and Charter O8 signatory from Xianning City, Hubei Province, was formally arrested for “inciting subversion of state power” in April, according to his family. Public security officers began following Gao after a “Jasmine Stroll” protest in Wuhan City on February 27, and they took him into custody on February 28, just after Gao published an article online. Authorities have refused to allow his family to contact him. A member of Gao’s family stated on August 8 that the only information they have about Gao is an arrest notice dated April 2 issued by the Wenquan branch of the Xianning Public Security Bureau.

An active online discussant about China’s human rights situation, Gao is the tenth individual known to CHRD to have been formally arrested as part of the “Jasmine Revolution” crackdown.
(CHRD)[iii]

Sichuan Activist Ran Yunfei Released, Begins Six-Month “Residential Surveillance”

In the evening of August 9,Ran Yunfei (冉云飞), a prolific writer, blogger, and activist from Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, was released after being detained since February, and he is now beginning a six-month term of residential surveillance at home. A friend contacted a member of Ran’s family who confirmed that Ran was at home, but that he was unable to have contact with anyone. Ran expressed thanks for the concern and support of the outside world during his detention, and hoped that his friends would be understanding about the limits placed on his communications. His family member explained that “during the six months of residential surveillance, it’s not convenient for Ran to accept interviews or speak publicly.” Ran had initially been taken into custody on February 20 on suspicion of “subversion of state power,” but he was arrested in March on the charge of “inciting subversion.” (CHRD)[iv]

Read further about individuals affected by the crackdown, as documented by CHRD: https://www.nchrd.org/2011/06/17/jasmine_crackdown/

Anhui Dissident Wu Yuebao Suspected of “Inciting Subversion”

On August 15, CHRD learned that the activist Wu Yuebao (吴乐宝), from Bengbu City, Anhui Province, is being criminally detained on suspicion of “inciting subversion of state power.” The charges stem from statements Wu made via Twitter that “abused” leaders of the Chinese Communist Party. Wu was initially taken away by police on July 14, when his home was searched and several items confiscated, including a computer. He then completed 10 days of administrative detention and was subsequently taken into criminal detention. Since Wu was first taken into custody in mid-July, his friends and family have not known where he is being held. (CHRD)[v]

Guangdong Petitioner Held in Psychiatric Institution for Past Five Months

Luo Yinghua (罗映华), a petitioner and rights defender from Xiongzhou Town, Nanxiong City, Guangdong Province, has been held since March in a psychiatric institution in Lechang City, Guangdong, in retaliation for petitioning over a forced eviction and home demolition. She went to Beijing in mid-March to petition, but was taken back to Guangdong by Xiongzhou Town public security officers and personnel from the Xiongzhou Letters and Visits Office. They tricked Luo into getting into a vehicle, and then took her to Yuebei No. 3 People’s Hospital (a psychiatric institution) in Lechang City, where they have held her ever since. Though little is known about Luo’s situation, her son, Chen Zhiwen (陈志文), saw Luo on July 25 and described her as being in a very bad state. He is worried that the treatment his mother—who is not mentally ill—is being subjected to is taking a severe toll on her. Luo began petitioning in 2004 after she was abducted and then beaten by a deputy police chief in connection with the forced demolition of her home. (CHRD)[vi]
Harassment of Activists

Security Officers Confine Hunan Activist During International Sports Competition

CHRD has learned from Luo Qian (罗茜), a longtime rights activist from Xinning County, Shaoyang County, Hunan Province, that national security officers on August 11 forcibly took him away to Guilin City, Guangxi Province, where three officers are confining and monitoring him in a hotel. He stated that Xinning County officers are restricting his freedom because he is considered an “unstable element” who needs to be watched carefully during the 2011 Summer Universiade, which is being held in Shenzhen. In late July, Luo returned home after serving a RTL punishment issued in January 2010 for “disrupting social order” for his investigation of the suspicious death of Yang Kuansheng (杨宽生), the former vice-mayor of Wugang City, Hunan Province. (CHRD)[vii]
Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment

Hunan Activist Beaten, Subjected to Solitary Confinement in RTL Facility

Hunan rights defender Peng Xinzhong (彭新忠), of Chenzhou City, Hunan Province, has been subjected to beatings and solitary confinement in a small cell in the Chenzhou RTL facility, according to friends and family. After learning about Peng’s situation, family members twice went to the RTL facility to meet him but were refused. Peng was sent to RTL for one year in March for “disrupting official business” after setting off firecrackers outside of Chenzhou City government offices and presenting grievances to the municipal party committee. Officials cited this as evidence in the RTL decision, though it is believed that Peng was detained to keep him from petitioning in Beijing.

Peng was previously sentenced to four years in prison for “malicious accusation” after reporting on corruption among local officials in 2005. Though the conviction was overturned on appeal, officials continued to harass Peng and have detained him on four separate occasions. Lawsuits brought by Peng have failed to bring a satisfactory resolution to the situation. (CRLW)[viii]
Citizens’ Actions

Aizhixing Criticizes Hubei Police Crackdown on Sex Workers

On August 10, Aizhixing, a Beijing-based health rights NGO, issued an open letter criticizing a recent crackdown on sex workers by the Xiangyang City police in Hubei Province. According to media reports, on August 3, Xiangyang police raided 45 “illegal” rental apartments and confiscated and burned the bedding on the premises. Aizhixing argues the police’s actions violated laws and regulations, since the raid was not conducted in response to alleged acts of prostitution, and that the raid and the destruction of bedding constitute a violation of private property rights. Aizhixing also is critical of media reports on the raid, which have included pictures of condoms found on the premises, implying the use of condoms as evidence of prostitution. (Aizhixing)

Editors of this issue: Victor Clemens and Wang Songlian

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News updates from CHRD

[i] “Liu Xiaoyuan: Defense Statement in First Hearing of Wang Lihong Case for Creating a Disturbance,” (刘晓原：王荔蕻寻衅滋事案一审辩护词), August 14, 2011, http://wqw2010.blogspot.com/2011/08/blog-post_8059.html; “Rights Defender Wu Huaying, Held for Going to Beijing to Support Wang Lihong, Returns Home to Fujian,” (维权人士吴华英因上北京声援王荔蕻被押送回福建), August 13, 2011, http://rightscampaign.blogspot.com/2011/08/blog-post_9909.html; “Wu Huaying: Diary of Black Jail Experiences After Going to Beijing to Assist Wang Lihong,” (吴华英：进京声援王荔蕻遭遇黑监狱记), August 15, 2011, http://wqw2010.blogspot.com/2011/08/blog-post_2629.html; “Lawyer Han Yicun: Defense Statement on Behalf of Wang Lihong,” (韩一村律师：王荔蕻案辩护词), August 12, 2011, http://wqw2010.blogspot.com/2011/08/blog-post_12.html; “Petitioners from All Over Come to Beijing to Support Rights Defense Activist Wang Lihong,” (各地访民前往法院声援维权人士王荔蕻), August 12, 2011, http://wqw2010.blogspot.com/2011/08/blog-post_3130.html?spref=tw; “Trial Concludes for Human Rights Activist Wang Lihong, Lawyer Calls the Proceedings Unjust,” (人权活动家王荔蕻案结束庭审，律师指审判不公), August 11, 2011, http://wqw2010.blogspot.com/2011/08/blog-post_7932.html?spref=tw; “Wang Lihong Trial Opens, Supporters’ Applications to Observe Denied,” (王荔蕻案开庭，现场声援者申请旁听被拒), August 11, 2011, http://wqw2010.blogspot.com/2011/08/blog-post_9093.html?spref=tw; “Fujian Rights Defender Wu Huaying Held in “Black Jail” in Beijing,” (福建维权人士吴华英在北京被关入“黑监狱”), August 11, 2011, http://wqw2010.blogspot.com/2011/08/blog-post_6533.html?spref=tw; “Before Wang Lihong Trial, Many Prevented From Going to Beijing, Others Put Under Soft Detention,” (王荔蕻案开庭在即，多人赴京被阻或遭软禁), August 11, 2011,http://wqw2010.blogspot.com/2011/08/blog-post_7525.html

[ii] “Chongqing Resident Sent to Two Years of RTL for ‘Jasmine Speech’,” (重庆市民黄成诚因“茉莉花言论”被劳教), August 14, 2011, http://wqw2010.blogspot.com/2011/08/blog-post_9207.html

[iii] “Gao Chunlian of Xianning, Hubei Arrested for “Inciting Subversion of State Power,” (湖北咸宁市高纯炼被以“煽动颠覆国家政权罪”逮捕), August 8, 2011, http://wqw2010.blogspot.com/2011/08/blog-post_6850.html?spref=tw

[iv] “Sichuan Writer Ran Yunfei Returns Home as Punishment ‘Changes to Residential Surveillance,’” (四川作家冉云飞被“改为监视居住”回家), August 9, 2011, http://wqw2010.blogspot.com/2011/08/blog-post_1655.html

[v] “Anhui Dissident Wu Yuebao Suspected of ‘Inciting Subversion of State Power,’” (安徽异议人士吴乐宝被控涉嫌“煽动颠覆国家政权”), August 15, 2011, http://wqw2010.blogspot.com/2011/08/blog-post_888.html; “Bengbu, Anhui Dissident Wu Yuebao Criminally Detained, Several Rights Defenders Warned by Police,” (安徽蚌埠异议人士吴乐宝被刑拘，多名维权人士被警告), July 24, 2011,
http://wqw2010.blogspot.com/2011/07/blog-post_8787.html?spref=tw; “Wu Yuebao Not Released When Detention Period Ends; Li Wenge Taken Away, Has Home Searched,” (吴乐宝到期未放，李文革被带走抄家), July 24, 2011, http://wqw2010.blogspot.com/2011/07/blog-post_24.html; “Urgent Alert: Bengbu Democracy Rights Activist Wu Yuebao Has Home Searched, Is Detained,” (紧急关注：蚌埠民主维权人士吴乐宝被抄家拘留), June 18, 2011, http://wqw2010.blogspot.com/2011/07/blog-post_6893.html

[vi] “Petitioning Over Forced Demolition, Luo Yinghua of Nanxiong City, Guangdong Province Held in Psychiatric Hospital for Five Months,” (广东省南雄市遭强拆访民罗映华被关精神病医院达5月之久), August 8, 2011, http://wqw2010.blogspot.com/2011/08/5_08.html

[vii] “On Eve of Sports Conference, Hunan Rights Defender Luo Qian Confined in Faraway Location,” (大运会开幕前夕，湖南维权人士罗茜被异地囚禁), August 13, 2011,
http://wqw2010.blogspot.com/2011/08/blog-post_8588.html

[viii] “Hunan Rights Defender Pen Xinzhong Beaten in RTL Facility,” (湖南维权人士彭新忠劳教所内遭殴打), August 14, 2011,
http://www.msguancha.com/Article/ShowArticle.asp?ArticleID=14537; “Hunan Activist Peng Xinzhong Sent to Re-education through Labor” (湖南维权人士彭新忠被劳教), April 29, 2011, http://wqw2010.blogspot.com/2011/04/blog-post_78.html