PEN International protests the administrative detention of Wu Wei (pen name Ye Du), the webmaster and Network Coordinator of the Independent Chinese PEN Center (ICPC), who is being held under residential surveillance for “inciting subversion of state power,” a charge commonly used to silence dissent in China. PEN reminds Chinese authorities of their obligations under Article 35 of the Chinese constitution and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which it is a state party. PEN calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained for the peaceful expression of their views, including Wu Wei, and seeks guarantees of his safety.

Background Information

According to PEN's information, Wu Wei (aka Ye Du) was taken from his home in Haizhu, Guangdong Province, and arrested on February 22, 2011. His wife reports that police also raided their home, confiscating computers, books, and videos. On March 1, 2011, Wu Wei was reportedly placed under residential surveillance in Fanyu, Guangdong Province, for allegedly "inciting subversion of state power." He could face up to six months' detention without trial, during which time he may be at risk of ill-treatment. Wu Wei has previously suffered harassment for his dissident writings and activism, and spoke engagingly about "Being Invited to Tea" (a euphemism used to describe police warnings) at the PEN International congress in Tokyo in September 2010.
 
Since February 16, 2011, police have stepped up their harassment of human rights defenders and activists across the country, apparently in response to anonymous calls for "Jasmine Revolution" protests. Over 100 human rights defenders and activists have been arbitrarily detained, harassed, or intimidated, including several ICPC members.

Write A Letter

  • Protesting the administrative detention of writer and ICPC member Wu Wei (aka Ye Du), who is among scores of writers, journalists, and human rights defenders to be targeted in a recent crackdown on dissent;
  • Reminding Chinese authorities of their obligations under Article 35 of the Chinese constitution and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which China is a state party;
  • Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all those currently detained in China for the peaceful exercise of their right to free expression, including Wu Wei.

Send Your Letter To

His Excellency Hu Jintao
President of the People’s Republic of China
State Council
Beijing 100032
P.R. China

MA Zhenchuan Juzhang
Director of the Beijing Public Security Bureau
Beijingshi Gong'anju
9 Dongdajie, Qianmen
Dongchengqu
Beijingshi 100740
People's Republic of China
Fax: +86 1065242927

WU Aiying Buzhang
Sifabu
Minister of Justice
10 Chaoyangmen Nandajie
Chaoyangqu
Beijingshi 100020
People's Republic of China

Mr. Meng Jianzhu
Minister of Public Security
East Chang'an Avenue 14
100741 Beijing
People's Republic of China

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

Please contact PEN if sending appeals after March 31, 2011: ftw [at] pen.org