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International PEN Writers in Prison Committee
China Campaign
Writers Called to Action
10 April 2008

Four months before the opening of the Olympic Games in Beijing, China, on 8 August 2008, International PEN calls on its members to take part in its campaign on China.
China is a country where PEN has had significant concerns for many years because of the large numbers of writers and journalists held in prison for calling for improved civil and political rights. In addition to the number of long-term detainees in China, PEN is also seriously concerned about prison conditions, ill treatment and abuse, access to medical care and family visits, lack of due process and harassment. As the Games approach, there are signs of a deterioration in human rights, and a crackdown on dissidents trying to speak out on human rights issues in China.
PEN Centres are asked to raise publicity in their own countries, encourage journalists to cover freedom of expression in their reporting on the Games, lobby their own governments, sporting and other delegations to Beijing, request meetings with Chinese diplomats and representatives in their own countries, and to form alliances with other NGOs and individuals concerned for the state of free expression in China. Using the publicity and international presence at the Beijing Olympics, the campaign aims to mobilise the PEN membership towards:
• The release of those imprisoned and an end to attacks on the right to freedom of expression in China
• The revision of laws allowing for imprisonment, including overly-broad subversion and state secrets laws and censorship and severe restrictions on internet activity.
• Highlight other issues that hamper the right to write in China
• To encourage journalists and others covering the games to continue to take an interest on their return.

The Campaign, co-ordinated by International PEN, incorporates group initiatives by PEN Centres including the following
• A joint initiative by PEN America, PEN Canada and Independent Chinese PEN entitled ‘We Are Ready for Freedom of Expression’, launched on International Human Rights Day (10 December), challenging the Chinese government to:

• release all the writers and journalists it is holding in prisons before the opening of the Olympic Games on 8 August 2008.

• abide by its pledge that “there will be no restrictions on media reporting and movement of journalists up to and including the Olympic Games”; and

• end internet censorship and reform laws that are used to suppress the free exchange of information and ideas on the internet.

The “We Are Ready for Freedom of Expression” Campaign includes a number of components and actions that centers are free to import and adapt as they see fit. These include:

• Basic resources such as bios and photos of the (currently) 38 writers and journalists in prison in China

• Up to the minute press releases on developments in all 38 of these cases and other significant freedom of expression-related news from China

• The “We Are Ready for Freedom of Expression” campaign logo

• Specific, ready-made actions for members and the general public including:

o A petition to the Chinese government

o Weekly actions focusing on one or two of the 38 imprisoned writers between now and the Olympics opening ceremonies

For more information, see www.pen.org or email Sarah Hoffman at Sarah@pen.org

The Poem Relay
• Poem relay (Sydney/Swiss German PEN): PEN Centres are being asked to translate and record a short poem, “June” (Liuyue) by the imprisoned Chinese poet and journalist Shi Tao, into as many languages as possible. Via a website with a map of the world and a relay itinerary (similar to the Olympic Torch Relay itinerary), the poem virtually “travels” around the world, from centre to centre, language to language, adding new translations as it goes and ending in Beijing for the 2008 Olympics. Visitors to the website can track the poem’s progress and read and hear new translations of the poem as it arrives at each new centre. To participate go to www.penpoemrelay.org
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
PEN members are asked to carry out as many of the following activities in the coming months as they can. Even one action will have impact:
• Appeals: Write a letter to the Chinese authorities protesting the detention of writers and journalists in China.
• A petition: collect signatures from your members and PEN supporters in your country asking the Chinese government to release all imprisoned writers and journalists, abide by its Olympic-year pledges to allow press freedom, and reform laws that are used to jail writers and journalists in violation of their right to freedom of expression. PEN American Center has a sample petition you can use or adapt.
• Weekly Actions: write a letter to the Chinese government every week between now and the Olympics focusing on one or two of the writers and journalists currently in prison in China. PEN American Center has a schedule and sends out weekly information and sample letters for individuals and centres to use.
• Monthly Actions on China: There will be monthly actions with a China focus sent to the RAN network. Centres are encouraged to participate.
• Letters to the press: The present press interest in China in the run-up to the Olympic Games makes the concerns for writers in China more likely to be picked up by the press. Centres are encouraged to use the material provided in the campaign to publish articles in your local press.

• Lobbying the Chinese authorities: Centres are asked to request meetings with Chinese diplomats and representatives in their own countries.
• Lobby sporting and other delegations to Beijing: Centres are encouraged to brief sports journalists covering the Games on the issues of human rights and free expression in China.
• Elect a Writer in China as an Honorary Member: Contact the Asia Researcher, Cathy McCann – see details below.
• Sign onto the International PEN Writers in Prison Committee China Campaign email list for regular updates on China issues. Just send an email to Cathy McCann at the address below.
Appeals to:
His Excellency Hu Jintao
President of the People’s Republic of China
State Council
Beijing 100032
P.R.China.
Chief Judge Mr. WANG Shengjun
President of the Supreme People’s Court
No.27 Dongjiaominxiang
Dongcheng District, Beijing 100745
People’s Republic of China

Procurator General Mr. CAO Jianming
Supreme People’s Procuratorate
Beiheyan Street 147
100726 Beijing
People’s Republic of China People’s Republic of China
Please note that there are no fax numbers for the Chinese authorities. WiPC recommends that you copy your appeal to the Chinese embassy in your country asking them to forward it and welcoming any comments.

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

For further information please contact Cathy McCann at International PEN Writers in Prison Committee, Brownlow House, 50/51 High Holborn, London WC1V 6ER, Tel.+ 44 (0) 20 7405 0338, Fax: +44 (0) 20 7405 0339, email: cathy.mccann@internationalpen.org.uk