URGENT ACTION

CHINESE DEMOCRACY ACTIVIST DETAINED

Liu Xianbin was detained on 28 June in Suining City, Sichuan Province, on suspicion of “inciting subversion of state power”. Amnesty International believes that he is detained for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression through his human rights and democracy activism.

Liu Xianbin is a prominent Sichuan democracy activist, aged 43, who has previously served two prison terms for his human rights and democracy activism. On 28 June, 14 security officers arrived at his home in Suining, Sichuan Province. Some of the officers took Liu Xianbin to the local Public Security Bureau station for questioning, while the others remained to search his home, confiscating two computer hard drives, two portable drives, his bank card and records of payments he received for articles he published online. According to the detention notice provided to his wife, Chen Mingxian, he is being detained on suspicion of “inciting subversion of state power”.

According to his lawyer, who met Liu Xianbin on 1 July, police questioned him about his support of other democracy activists and human rights defenders, including Chen Yunfei, as well as his numerous online articles in support of democratic reforms. Local human rights activists believe he is being punished for his continued democracy activism and defence of human rights after being released from prison in November 2008. Since his release in 2008, Liu has been involved in high-profile activities: He has supported Charter 08, a proposal for fundamental legal and political reform in China that aims to achieve a democratic system that respects human rights; he has also published articles on human rights and democracy and worked to increase public awareness of other persecuted activists.

Liu Xianbin is currently being held at the Suining City Detention Centre. On 29 June, security officers summoned Liu Xianbin’s wife and questioned her for approximately three hours about his activities. They also conducted an investigation at the school attended by the couple’s 13-year old daughter, leaving her in tears.

Liu Xianbin’s detention is believed to be arbitrary, according to the standards of the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, and in violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that guarantees the right of freedom of expression and peaceful association.

PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in Mandarin, English or your own language:

• Calling on the authorities to release Liu Xianbin immediately and unconditionally as he was detained solely for his peaceful exercise of the right to freedom of expression and association;

• Urging the authorities to guarantee that Liu Xianbin will not be tortured or otherwise ill-treated while he remains in custody.

• Urging the authorities to ensure that Liu Xianbin is allowed access to his lawyer and family and any medical treatment that he may require.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 16 AUGUST 2010 TO: