Dr. Hu Shigen, a Lecturer at Beijing Language Institute and founding member of the China Freedom and Democracy Party (CFDP), was arrested on September 27, 1992 as part of a large group of prisoners of conscience, jointly indicted on "counter-revolutionary" charges after the CFDP helped to organize memorials for the victims of the government’s violent suppression of the Democracy Movement in June 1989. After numerous delays and questionable judicial proceedings, the group's trial started in July 1994 and the verdict was announced in December 1994. Hu received a sentence of 20 years imprisonment for “engaging in counterrevolutionary propaganda and incitement” (this was later reduced so that he is now due for release in 2010). There are reports that he has been tortured and is suffering from severe neurasthenia and chronic migraines, as well as liver, heart, stomach and ear problems. Several vertebrae in his back are dislocated, which it is feared could lead to paralysis if left untreated. Requests for medical parole by his family have been ignored by the authorities.

Please send appeals for his release to:

Addresses

His Excellency Jiang Zemin
President of the People’s Republic
of China
Zhong Naihai, Beijingshi 100032
People’s Republic of China
Salutation: Your Excellency

His Excellency Hu Jintao
President of the People’s Republic of China
State Council
Beijing 100032
People’s Republic of China
Salutation: Your Excellency

Mr. Xiao Yang
President of the Supreme People’s Court
No.27 Dongjiaominxiang
Dongcheng District, Beijing 100745
People’s Republic of China

Sample Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the suppression of the right to freedom of expression in the case of the continued detention of Dr. Hu Shigen, who was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment in 1994 for “engaging in counterrevolutionary propaganda and incitement.”

I understand that although China pledged to open up restrictions on media reporting in advance of the Olympics, it has instead clamped down on writers and citizens’ right to receive and impart information. The continuing detention of scholars and journalists damages China’s image abroad and undercuts its ambitions to develop a dynamic and competitive economy and culture.

I therefore urge you to release Hu along with all other scholars and journalists imprisoned in violation of their fundamental right to free expression, which is guaranteed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which China is a signatory. Protecting this essential right will only make China stronger.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,