PEN Members: what you can do

International PEN calls on its members to take part in its campaign on China

China is a country where International PEN has had significant concerns for many years because of the large numbers of writers and journalists held in prison for calling for improved civil and political rights. In addition to the number of long-term detainees in China, International PEN is also seriously concerned about prison conditions, ill treatment and abuse, access to medical care and family visits, lack of due process and harassment. As the Games approach, there are signs of a deterioration in human rights, and a crackdown on dissidents trying to speak out on human rights issues in China.

What PEN Members can do

PEN members are urged to continue to send appeals to the Chinese authorities protesting the continuing arrests of writers and journalists in China, and the government's failure to abide by its pledges to expand press freedom and improve the climate for human rights and freedom of expression in this Olympic year.

Letters should:

• Refer to the fact that there are currently over 40 writers and journalists in prison.

• Point out that all are detained for their writings and peaceful activism towards improvements in civil and political rights in China.

• State that these imprisonments are counter to the international human rights standards to which China is a signatory, notably the International Convention on Human Rights, specifically Article 19 that protects the rights to freedom of expression.

• Express particular concern that there has been no apparent easing of restrictions on free expression in recent months.

• Appeals should be sent to the Chinese embassy in your country.