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UPDATE - CHINA
13 June 2007
Imprisoned dissident writer Yang Maodong allegedly tortured, confession to
be used in court
SOURCE: Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC), International PEN, London
**Updates IFEX alerts on the Yang Maodong (Guo Feixiong) case of 12 January
2007, 10 October and 21 September 2006 and 11 October 2005**
(WiPC/IFEX) - The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN is
alarmed by claims by dissident writer Yang Maodong that he was tortured in
detention, and that a confession extracted through torture is to be used as
evidence in court.
According to PEN's information, Yang Maodong, also known as Guo Feixiong, a
well-known dissident writer, independent publisher and civil rights
activist, who has been in detention since 14 September 2006, was reportedly
transferred to the Shenyang detention centre between 20 January and 27
March 2007, during which time, he alleges, he was severely treated and
repeatedly tortured. The police interrogation reportedly focused on his
involvement in and reporting of an anti-corruption campaign by villagers in
Taishi Village, Guangdong Province. This incident is not related to the
charges under which Yang Maodong is currently being held.
Yang Maodong was arrested on 14 September 2006 on charges of "suspected
illegal business dealings", for which he is to stand trial on 15 June.
According to his wife, police officers searched their home in Guangzhou
City, Guangdong Province, Southern China, and took away Yang's computers,
cell phone, books, manuscripts and other documents. The following day Yang
was reportedly charged with illegal business practices for allegedly
publishing and selling 20,000 books using false ISBNs (international
standard book numbers). His wife claims that the charges are totally
unfounded.
Yang Maodong, aged 40, is known for his critical writings and civil rights
activism. He was previously detained on 12 September 2005 and held without
charge until December 2005 for his involvement in and reporting of an
anti-corruption campaign by villagers in Taishi Village, Guangdong
Province. PEN campaigned for his release (see:
http://www.internationalpen.org.uk/
Yang Maodong has since been subject to repeated harassment by the
authorities, culminating in his arrest on 14 September 2006. Yang Maodong
is a writer and independent publisher, and his writings include two novels
and one collection of short stories. He has also published many essays,
poems and articles.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Send appeals to authorities:
- expressing outrage at reports that a confession by Yang Maodong extracted
through torture is to be used in court as evidence
- condemning the use of torture and degrading treatment against prisoners,
in violation of the United Nations Convention against Torture
- seeking assurances from the authorities that Yang Maodong is humanely
treated while in detention
- calling for his immediate and unconditional release in accordance with
Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to
which China is a signatory
APPEALS TO:
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, and to the source, if possible.
Please contact WIPC if sending appeals after 7 July 2007.
For further information, contact Cathy McCann at the WiPC, International
PEN, Brownlow House, 50/51 High Holborn, London, WC1V 6ER, U.K., tel: +44
207 405 0338, fax: +44 207 405 0339, e-mail:
cathy.mccann@internationalpen.org.uk , wipc@internationalpen.org.uk,
Internet: http://www.internationalpen.org.uk
The information contained in this update is the sole responsibility of
WiPC. In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit
WiPC.
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