CHINA: dissident writer’s health failing
15 May 2008
Update #2 to RAN 01/08
The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN is deeply concerned by recent reports of the deteriorating health of imprisoned activist and dissident writer Hu Jia, who is serving a three-and-a-half year sentence for ‘inciting subversion of state power' for his critical writings and dissident activities. There are reports that Hu Jia's family has been denied access to visit him, and that he was transferred to another prison. The Writers in Prison Committee calls for Hu Jia to be given all necessary medical care as a matter of urgency, and seeks information on his whereabouts. International PEN considers Hu Jia to be held solely for peacefully exercising his right to free expression which is protected under Article 35 of the Chinese Constitution and Article 19 of the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which China is a signatory. International PEN therefore reiterates its call for his immediate and unconditional release.
According to PEN's information, Hu Jia suffers from long-term health problems including cirrhosis of the liver, and his condition is said to be deteriorating in prison. His family reports that he has been denied access to specialist medical care, and that they have been denied the right to visit him since early May, when he was transferred to another prison. His current whereabouts are unknown. Hu Jia was sentenced on 3 April 2008 to three-and-a-half years' jail and one year's denial of political rights on charges of "inciting subversion to state power", for articles and interviews critical of China's government. that they have
For the earlier Writers in Prison Committee alert on Hu Jia's case, please see
http://www.internationalpen.org.uk/go/news/china-activist-and-dissident-writer-hu-jia-sentenced-to-three-and-a-half-years-in-prison-health-concerns
For International PEN China Campaign, please visit
http://www.internationalpen.org.uk/internationalpen/index.cfm?objectid=F11E8890-E0C4-ED84-011B73C00DD4D5CC
Please send appeals:
Expressing serious concerns for the deteriorating health and lack of sufficient medical treatment for Hu Jia, and seeking assurances of his well-being;
Protesting for the refusal of Hu Jia's family visits;
Seeking information on Hu Jia's whereabouts.
Demanding Hu Jia's immediate and unconditional release.
Please note that there are no fax numbers for the Chinese authorities. WiPC recommends that you copy your appeal to the Chinese embassy in your country asking them to forward it and welcoming any comments.
Government addresses:
His Excellency Hu Jintao
President of the People's Republic of China
State Council
Beijing 100032
P.R. China.
Procurator General Mr. Jia Chunwang
Supreme People's Procuratorate
Beiheyan Street 147
100726 Beijing
P.R. China
Please note that fax numbers are no longer available for the Chinese authorities, so you may wish to ask the diplomatic representative for China in your country to forward your appeals.
Please copy appeals to the diplomatic representative for China in your country if possible.
**Please contact the PEN WiPC office in London if sending appeals after 10 June 2008**
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@internationalpen.org.uk