PEN International is seriously concerned about the prolonged detention without charge of Chinese activist, novelist, and poet Li Bifeng. He has been held since September 2011 for alleged economic crimes, although he is believed to be targeted for his peaceful opposition activism. PEN calls upon the Chinese authorities to provide further information about Li’s detention. It fears that he may be held in violation of Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which China is a signatory, and Article 35 of the Chinese constitution. If so, PEN calls for his immediate and unconditional release. It also seeks assurances about his health and treatment in detention.

Background Information

According to PEN’s information, leading Sichuan activist Li Bifeng, aged 47, was arrested on September 12, 2011, after being summoned for questioning by police in Mianyang City, Sichuan province, over his so-called “economic problems.” Vaguely worded economic crimes are commonly used to suppress political dissent in China; prominent Chinese artist and social critic Ai Weiwei was detained in June 2011 and held for almost three months for alleged "economic crimes."

Li Bifeng is a prolific poet and novelist and a well-known dissident who has spent a total of over 12 years in prison since 1990 for his activism and critical writings. He was first imprisoned for five years for taking part in the 1989 pro-democracy movement, and then served a seven-year jail term from 1998 to 2005 for reporting on a workers’ protest in Mianyang in 1998. While in prison, Li produced some poetry and kept a diary. Some of his work can be found here.
 
Li's close friend, Liao Yiwu, himself a writer currently in exile, has publicized Li’s current detention, and reports that the Chinese authorities suspect Li Bifeng of funding Liao’s escape from China (an allegation which Liao Yiwu strongly refutes). For more details, read Liao Yiwu’s appeal calling for Li Bifeng’s release.

More information:

Write A Letter

  • Expressing serious concern about the detention of novelist and poet Li Bifeng;
  • Seeking further information about his health and any charges against him;
  • Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Li Bifeng, in accordance with China’s national and international obligations on freedom of expression.

Send Your Letter To

The State Council General Office
HU Jintao Guojia Zhuxi
2 Fuyoujie
Xichengqu
Beijingshi 100017
People's Republic of China
Email: [email protected]

Premier
WEN Jiabao Guojia Zongli
The State Council General Office
2 Fuyoujie
Xichengqu
Beijingshi 100017
People's Republic of China
Fax: +86 10 65961109

Please copy appeals to the diplomatic representative for China in your country if possible.

Messages of solidarity may be sent to Li Bifeng at: [email protected]

Please contact PEN if sending appeals after July 20, 2012: ftw [at] pen.org