Presss Release: Letter to President George W. Bush from AIUSA Executive
on the Occasion of Chinese President Jiang Zemin's Visit to the United States
Director William Schulz
George W Bush
President of the United States
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W.
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President,
On behalf of Amnesty International USA, I write to urge you to address grave human rights concerns in China during your upcoming meeting with President Jiang Zemin. Although we commend you for your actions that secured the release of Jigme Sangpo, Ngawang Choezom, Ngawang Choephel and previously Gao Zhan and Li Shaomin, we urge you to redouble your efforts to seek tangible improvements in human rights in China.
Uphold human rights in accordance with the international instruments
Urge China to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and to implement its measures to protect human rights.
Reverse the trend of executions. During the first three months of the "Strike Hard Campaign" in April 2001, China executed more individuals than in the rest of the world combined over the past three years. Many were sentenced to death after unfair trials, based on confessions extracted under torture.
Eliminate torture. Torture and ill treatment of detainees and prisoners remains widespread and systemic in China. Amnesty International has documented torture in a full range of China's state institutions from police stations, detention centers, prisons, administrative "reeducation through labor" camps, and internal migrant "custody and repatriation" centers.
End deaths in custody. China's rate of deaths in custody is the highest in the world. Deaths in custody are the ultimate failure of government to protect detainees against torture and ill treatment. In February 2001, Ngawang Lochoe, a Tibetan nun, died from heart failure. Two weeks before her death, prison officials prevented a family member from seeing her during a prison visit. Prison officials transferred Ngawang Lochoe to the police hospital near Drapchi Prison on 5 February, where she died under highly questionable conditions.
End the crackdown on Internet users. There are a growing number of politically motivated arrests in connection with using the internet. Currently, there are over thirty individuals detained for Internet-related offenes. Some have been charged with "subversion", while others have been held on charges relating to "state secrets," vaguely defined offenses widely used to repress dissent.
End the repression of labor organizers. In recent years, unrest among factory laborers has grown and massive numbers of workers have begun to protest poor working conditions, low wages, and corruption. Workers have met with intensifying repression and Amnesty International has documented the cases of numerous trade union organizers and protesters who are being held in incommunicado detention or who are serving heavy sentences for their activities.
Secure the release of Prisoners of Conscience
Rebiya Kadeer, a Uighur businesswoman, was arrested while on her way to meet with staff from the US Congressional Research Service. She was sentenced to eight years in prison for "providing secret information to foreigners," information later found to be readily available in public newspapers. Ms. Kadeer is suffering from numerous ailments and should be released on medical parole.
Xu Wenli, a pro-democracy leader, was tried on December 12, 1998 and charged with secretly organizing and planning the China Democratic Party with the purpose of "subverting state power". He was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment. Xu Wenli is reportedly suffering from Hepatitis B and should be released on medical parole.
There are at least 200 individuals still imprisoned for their activities during the 1989 pro-democracy movement at Tiananmen Square in 1989. They were arrested in the aftermath of the massacre of the demonstrators and have been imprisoned for thirteen years.
Press China's authorities to lift restrictions on freedom of religion
Appeal to China's authorities to uphold the right to freedom of religion and expression and to halt the recent trend of increased arrests, torture, and death in custody of those seeking to exercise their right to freedom of religion and association. Religious and ethnic minorities -- including many Christians, Tibetan Buddhists, Uighur Muslims, and Falun Gong practitioners -- face staggering levels of repression, including arbitrary detention, torture, and lengthy prison sentences. Thousands of Tibetan Buddhist monks and nuns remain in detention, while ethnic Uighurs, many of them Muslims, are accused of being "separatists" or "terrorists." Many have been executed after secret trials. Evangelical Protestants and Roman Catholics who worship outside the official ''patriotic'' churches are victims of a continuing pattern of arrests, fines, and harassment. Several have been tortured and sentenced to lengthy prison terms. Falun Gong members have suffered severe repression, detention, and death in custody.
Gedun Choekyi Nyima, the child chosen as the 11th Panchen Lama by the Dalai Lama was detained in 1995 along with his family and has not been seen since. Please urge that the whereabouts and condition of the child be made public and that any restrictions on his freedom of movement and that of his family be removed.
We also would like you to raise the case of Yang Jianli. Mr. Yang, a Chinese pro-democracy dissident and a permanent resident of the US, was detained on April 26, 2002, allegedly for entering China illegally by using someone else's passport. The China's authorities have so far failed to inform Yang Jianli's family as to where he is being detained nor have they made public the charges against him.
Mr. President, your leadership is critical to secure meaningful and immediate action by the Government of China to improve respect for and protection of basic human rights. I hope you will take this opportunity to set in motion an agenda to improve human rights in China. In light of China's human rights record, I also urge your Administration to begin work towards a resolution on China at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. I look forward to supporting your efforts on these issues and thank you for your consideration of these important matters.
Sincerely,
William F. Schulz
Executive Director
Amnesty International USA
Source: Amnesty International, 322 Eighth Ave., New York, NY 10001
Contact: Wende Gozan 212/633-4247
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Source: "Amnesty International".
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