China: Zhu Yufu charged with subversion for a poem
English PEN condemns the imprisonment of the writer Zhu Yufu, who has been charged with 'subversion' for a poem he had written and posted online. (The full text of the poem is available in translation here.
We urge PEN members to send letters of appeal to the authorities calling for Zhu Yufu's immediate and unconditional release, and that of all those currently detained in the People's Republic of China for peacefully expressing their views.
The following information is given by The Guardian (17 January):
'Chinese authorities have indicted veteran dissident Zhu Yufu on subversion charges for writing a poem urging people to gather to defend their freedoms, his lawyer said. He is the latest activist to face such charges.
Zhu, 60, from the eastern city of Hangzhou, was arrested last April for "inciting subversion of state power". No trial date has been set, his lawyer, Li Dunyong, said on Tuesday.
"The main reason for the indictment was a poem he had written calling for people to gather. He had written the poem around the same time there was chaos [in the Middle East]," Li said. "He believes in freedom of expression."
Li collected the indictment on Monday from a court in Hangzhou and met Zhu, whom he described as being in a good condition.
Calls to the Hangzhou intermediate court were unanswered on Tuesday.
The authorities disclosed their decision to prosecute Zhu nearly a year after Zhu had written the poem, titled It's time.
A verse reads: "It's time, Chinese people!/the square belongs to everyone/the feet are yours/it's time to use your feet and take to the square to make a choice." Zhu's lawyer said the poem had been published online.
Li said, however, that Zhu had nothing to do with the online calls for 'Jasmine revolution' rallies inspired by uprisings in the Middle East.
Police rounded up dozens of dissidents in response to the calls, which began on an overseas Chinese website that is blocked to most people in mainland China by censorship walls. The attempted rallies were tiny and the demonstrators were quickly outnumbered by hundreds of police and security guards.
Li said he will defend Zhu on the basis of freedom of expression but believes Zhu's prospects for victory look bleak.
"You can't be optimistic about anything in China," he said. "In this country, he'll be punished harshly."
China's Communist party is preparing for a leadership handover late this year, when its determination to fend off political challenges to its rule is likely to intensify…'
To read the full text of the poem 'It's Time', translated into English by A.E. Clark, click here.
TAKE ACTION
Please send appeals:
- Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of dissident poet Zhu Yufu, 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.
Appeals to:
His Excellency Hu Jintao
President of the People's Republic of China
State Council
Beijing 100032
P.R. China
Please also send letters of appeal to the Chinese Embassy in London:
His Excellency Mr Liu Xiaoming
Embassy of the People's Republic of China
49-51 Portland Place,
London
W1B 1JL
Fax: 020 7636 2981
Email: secretary@chinese-embassy.org.uk
We urge PEN members to send letters of appeal to the authorities calling for Zhu Yufu's immediate and unconditional release, and that of all those currently detained in the People's Republic of China for peacefully expressing their views.
The following information is given by The Guardian (17 January):
'Chinese authorities have indicted veteran dissident Zhu Yufu on subversion charges for writing a poem urging people to gather to defend their freedoms, his lawyer said. He is the latest activist to face such charges.
Zhu, 60, from the eastern city of Hangzhou, was arrested last April for "inciting subversion of state power". No trial date has been set, his lawyer, Li Dunyong, said on Tuesday.
"The main reason for the indictment was a poem he had written calling for people to gather. He had written the poem around the same time there was chaos [in the Middle East]," Li said. "He believes in freedom of expression."
Li collected the indictment on Monday from a court in Hangzhou and met Zhu, whom he described as being in a good condition.
Calls to the Hangzhou intermediate court were unanswered on Tuesday.
The authorities disclosed their decision to prosecute Zhu nearly a year after Zhu had written the poem, titled It's time.
A verse reads: "It's time, Chinese people!/the square belongs to everyone/the feet are yours/it's time to use your feet and take to the square to make a choice." Zhu's lawyer said the poem had been published online.
Li said, however, that Zhu had nothing to do with the online calls for 'Jasmine revolution' rallies inspired by uprisings in the Middle East.
Police rounded up dozens of dissidents in response to the calls, which began on an overseas Chinese website that is blocked to most people in mainland China by censorship walls. The attempted rallies were tiny and the demonstrators were quickly outnumbered by hundreds of police and security guards.
Li said he will defend Zhu on the basis of freedom of expression but believes Zhu's prospects for victory look bleak.
"You can't be optimistic about anything in China," he said. "In this country, he'll be punished harshly."
China's Communist party is preparing for a leadership handover late this year, when its determination to fend off political challenges to its rule is likely to intensify…'
To read the full text of the poem 'It's Time', translated into English by A.E. Clark, click here.
TAKE ACTION
Please send appeals:
- Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of dissident poet Zhu Yufu, 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.
Appeals to:
His Excellency Hu Jintao
President of the People's Republic of China
State Council
Beijing 100032
P.R. China
Please also send letters of appeal to the Chinese Embassy in London:
His Excellency Mr Liu Xiaoming
Embassy of the People's Republic of China
49-51 Portland Place,
London
W1B 1JL
Fax: 020 7636 2981
Email: secretary@chinese-embassy.org.uk