Where Is Detained Chinese Journalist?

来源：World Association of Newspapers

The World Association of Newspapers and World Editors have called on Chinese authorities to reveal the whereabouts of and release journalist Hu Jia, who has been held at a secret location since his arrest last month, apparently for participating in a European parliamentary hearing.

In a lettter to Premier Wen Jiabao, the Paris-based WAN and the WEF said China should immediately release Mr Hu and all other jailed Chinese journalists under reforms it promised in its successful bid for the 2000 Summer Olympic Games.

Mr Hu, a journalist, blogger and human rights activist, has been detained at an unknown location since 27 December, reportedly charged with "subverting state authority." Mr Hu participated in a European parliamentary hearing in Brussels on 26 November 2007 on the human rights situation in China, and said: "It is very serious that the official promises are not being kept before the Games."

About 20 police officers were involved in the arrest, some remaining behind after he was taken away. Police disconnected the family’s internet and telephone service, possibly to prevent them from telling supporters about the arrest.

In its letter to Premier Wen, WAN and WEF cited China’s "Beijing Olympic Action Plan", which pledges the country to "follow international standards and criteria." The letter said China has failed to live up to that promise by continuing to jail journalists. According to reports, at least 30 journalists and 50 cyber-dissidents are currently held in Chinese prisons.

The letter said:

"We are writing on behalf of the World Association of Newspapers and the World Editors Forum, which represent 18,000 publications in 102 countries, to express our serious concern at the continued detention of journalist Hu Jia at a secret location almost one month after his arrest.

"According to reports, about 20 police officers arrested Mr Hu, a journalist, blogger and human rights activist, at his home in Beijing on 27 December 2007. Some of the officers reportedly remained at the house after Mr Hu had been taken away, disconnecting the Internet connection and phone line, possibly to prevent his wife, Zeng, who is also a human rights campaigner, from telling supporters what had happened. Mr Hu is reportedly charged with ’subverting state authority’ and is being held at an unknown location. Both Mr Hu and his wife had been under a form of house arrest since 18 May.

"Using his webcam, Mr Hu participated in a European parliamentary hearing in Brussels on 26 November 2007 on the human rights situation in China. At the hearing, he said: ’It is ironic that one of the people in charge of organising the Olympic Games is the head of the Bureau of Public Security, which is responsible for so many human rights violations. It is very serious that the official promises are not being kept before the games.’ "We respectfully remind you that the Organising Committee for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games issued the ’Beijing Olympic Action Plan’ in 2002, which laid out guiding principles and a series of promises as part of Beijing’s preparation to be the host city. Specifically the Plan promised: ’In the preparation for the Games, we will be open in every aspect to the rest of the country and the whole world. We will draw on the successful experience of others and follow the international standards and criteria.’

"In accordance with this pledge and numerous international conventions, declarations and agreements - including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - we call upon the Chinese authorities to free all jailed journalists and bloggers ahead of the Olympics Games. According to reports, at least 30 journalists and 50 cyber-dissidents are currently held in Chinese prisons.

"We respectfully call on you to take all necessary steps to ensure that Mr Hu and all other journalists and others detained for exercising their right to freedom of expression are immediately released from prison and that charges against them are dropped."

For more on WAN’s campaign to free imprisoned Chinese journalists ahead of the Olympics, click here.

The Paris-based WAN, the global organisation for the newspaper industry, defends and promotes press freedom and the professional and business interests of newspapers world-wide. Representing 18,000 newspapers, its membership includes 77 national newspaper associations, newspaper companies and individual newspaper executives in 102 countries, 12 news agencies and 11 regional and world-wide press groups.

Inquiries to: Larry Kilman, Director of Communications, WAN, 7 rue Geoffroy St Hilaire, 75005 Paris France. Tel: +33 1 47 42 85 00. Fax: +33 1 47 42 49 48. Mobile: +33 6 10 28 97 36. E-mail: lkilman@wan.asso.fr.