PUBLIC AI Index: ASA 17/057/2007

11 December 2007

Further Information on UA 255/07 (ASA 17/047/2007, 4 October 2007) Fear of torture or ill-treatment/ fear of unfair trial

CHINA Ye Guoqiang (m), aged 47

Ye Mingjun (m), aged 25

Y
e Mingjun, son of imprisoned Beijing housing rights activist Ye Guozhu, was released on bail on 30 October after a month in detention. He remains under surveillance on suspicion of "inciting subversion of state power" and has been told he should not speak to the media as this could have a "negative impact" on his situation and that of his father. Ye Guoqiang, the brother of Ye Guozhu, continues to be detained incommunicado at an undisclosed location, and is at risk of torture or ill-treatment. Amnesty International is concerned for the safety of Ye Guoqiang and Ye Mingjun.

Ye Guoqiang and Ye Mingjun were taken away by police separately on 29 September and investigated under suspicion of "inciting subversion of state power". Ye Guoqiang has not been permitted to meet with his lawyers at any time. It is unclear whether he has been formally charged. However, Amnesty International has learned that in late October, Ye Guoqiang was transferred to a Beijing detention centre for those awaiting trial. At the end of November he was moved from there, and his current whereabouts are unknown.

During his detention Ye Mingjun was reportedly forced to have his head shaved bald, even though it is generally only convicted prisoners who are forced to shave their heads.

Ye Guozhu was sentenced to four years' imprisonment in December 2004 for "picking quarrels and stirring up trouble" after he applied for official permission to hold a public demonstration against forced evictions in Beijing. Amnesty International considers him to be a prisoner of conscience. Amnesty International remains seriously concerned for his safety in prison following reports that he was beaten by guards with electro-shock batons towards the end of 2006.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

In its report, The Olympics countdown: One year left to fulfil human rights promises (ASA 17/024/2007, August 2007), Amnesty International noted that freedom of speech is being further curtailed in the run-up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Several Beijing-based activists continue to face 'house arrest' and tight police surveillance, while activists in other parts of China are facing heightened patterns of abuse. The report also highlights an ongoing crackdown on journalists, which has most recently extended to the closure of certain publications on Chinese civil society and development.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English, Chinese or your own language:

- urging the authorities to release Ye Guoqiang immediately and unconditionally unless he is charged with a recognizably criminal offence;

- pending his release, urging the authorities to reveal where Ye Guoqiang is detained, and ensure that he has access to his family, lawyers of his own choosing and any medical treatment he may require;

- calling on the authorities to cease their harassment of Ye Mingjun and end limitations on his freedom of expression and association;

- expressing deep concern that reports of abuses against human rights activists in China run counter to commitments made by numerous Chinese officials that the human rights situation in China would improve in the run-up to the Olympic Games, and contravene core principles of the Olympic Charter relating to the preservation of human dignity and respect for universal, fundamental, ethical principles.

APPEALS TO:

Prime Minister

WEN Jiabao Zongli

The State Council General Office

2 Fuyoujie, Xichengqu

Beijingshi 100017

People's Republic of China

Fax: +86 10 65961109 (c/o Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Email: gazette@mail.gov.cn

Salutation: Your Excellency

Minister of Public Security

MENG Jianzhu Buzhang

Gong’anbu

14 Dongchang’anjie, Dongchengqu

Beijingshi 100741

People's Republic of China

Fax: +86 10 63099216 (it may be difficult to get through, please keep trying)

Salutation: Your Excellency

COPIES TO:

Director of the Beijing Public Security Bureau

MA Zhenchuan Juzhang

Beijingshi Gong'anju

9 Qianmen Dongdajie

Dongchengqu

Beijingshi 100740

People's Republic of China

Fax: +86 10 85222320

Email: wbjc@sohu.com

Salutation: Dear Director

and to diplomatic representatives of China accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 22 January 2008.