China: Writer Tan Zuoren sentenced
Published: March 1, 2010
English PEN strongly protests the five-year prison sentence handed to writer and activist Tan Zuoren on 9 February 2009, for 'inciting subversion of state power'. English PEN believes that Tan Zuoren's conviction and continuing imprisonment are in direct violation of his right to freedom of expression and opinion, and calls for his immediate and unconditional release according to Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which China is a signatory.
According to our information, Tan Zuoren, aged 55, a freelance writer, editor and activist, was arrested in Chengdu city, province of Sichuan, on 28 March 2009. It is thought that Tan's conviction is linked to one of his essays entitled 'Witnessing the Final Beauty - An Eyewitness's Diary of the Square'. This piece was reportedly about the 1989 Tiananmen Square movement and massacre, and was published in three parts in overseas Chinese websites in 2007. There are also reports that Tan is being punished for conducting an investigation into the death of school children in the May 2008 Sichuan earthquake.
Tan Zuoren's verdict was announced in a five-minute hearing at the Chengdu Intermediate Court. His wife and a number of Tan's supporters were not allowed to enter the court-room. The five-year conviction includes a further three-year suspension of Tan's political rights. An appeal against the conviction has been announced. Tan is currently held at Wenjian District Detention Centre, in Chendu city.
Tan Zuoren is chief editor of the cultural magazine Wen Hua Ren and the founder of an environmental organisation 'Green Rivers'. He has also published many articles and blogs online.
Further information:
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD)
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Please send appeals:
- Protesting the five-year prison sentence handed down to Tan Zuoren;
- Calling for his immediate and unconditional release if held in violation of Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which China is a signatory.
Send appeals to:
His Excellency Hu Jintao
President of the People's Republic of China
State Council
Beijing 100032
P.R. China
Mr. Meng Jianzhu
Minister of the Public Security
East Chang'an Avenue 14
100741 Beijing
P.R. China
Please note that there are no fax numbers for the Chinese authorities. We therefore recommend that you copy your appeal to the Chinese embassy in your country asking them to forward it and welcoming any comments:
Her Excellency Mrs. Fu Ying
Embassy of the People's Republic of China
49 - 51 Portland Place
London
W1B 1JL