CHINA: Writer Chen Wei Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison — 04.01.2012
Sydney PEN joins the Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of PEN International in condemning the imprisonment of the writer Chen Wei. An honorary member of the Independent Chinese PEN Centre and winner of the Liu Xiaobo Courage to Write award, Chen Wei was sentenced on 23 December 2011 to nine years in prison for ‘subversive writing.’ The conviction is based on articles published on Chinese websites overseas. The WiPC calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Chen Wei.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
The Guardian, "China jails veteran activist Chen Wei as crackdown continues", 23 Dec 2011
BBC, "Chen Wei jailed in China for 'subversive' writing", 23 Dec 2011
PLEASE SEND APPEALS:
- Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Chen Wei, imprisoned by the P.R.China for the peaceful exercise of his right to free expression;
- Expressing alarm at the crackdown on dissent in which writers, journalists and human rights defenders are amongst those to have been targeted;
- Reminding the Chinese authorities of their obligations under Article 35 of the Chinese constitution and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which it is a state party.
SEND APPEALS TO:
His Excellency Hu Jintao
President of the People’s Republic of China
State Council
Beijing 100032
P.R. China
Director of the Beijing Public Security Bureau
MA Zhenchuan Juzhang
Beijingshi Gong'anju
9 Dongdajie, Qianmen
Dongchengqu
Beijingshi 100740
People’s Republic of China
Fax: +86 1065242927
Minister of Justice
WU Aiying Buzhang
Sifabu
10 Chaoyangmen Nandajie
Chaoyangqu
Beijingshi 100020
People’s Republic of China
Minister of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China
MENG Jianzhu
Gong'anbu
14 Dongchang'anjie
Dongchengqu
Beijingshi 100741
People’s Republic of China
You can also copy this appeal to the Chinese embassy in Australia, asking them to forward it and welcoming any comments:
His Excellency Mr CHEN YUMING
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
15 Coronation Drive
Yarralumla ACT 2600
Please contact the PEN WiPC office in London if sending appeals after 22 February 2012
For further information please contact Cathy McCann at International PEN Writers in Prison Committee, Brownlow House, 50/51 High Holborn, London WC1V 6ER, Tel.+ 44 (0) 20 7405 0338, Fax: +44 (0) 20 7405 0339, email: cathy.mccann@pen-internationalpen.org