CHINA: Health of journalist, poet and dissident writer Shi Tao deteriorates
(Dec. 24, 2005)The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN is seriously concerned for the health of journalist, poet and dissident writer Shi Tao following reports that he is suffering from respiratory problems and a skin inflammation as a result of forced labour.
Shi Tao was sentenced on 27 April 2005 to ten years in prison for "leaking state secrets abroad". The prosecution of Shi Tao was based on an email he sent to the editor of a New York-based Website detailing media restrictions imposed by the Chinese authorities prior to the fifteenth anniversary of the 3 June 1989 crackdown on the pro-democracy protests. Information supplied by the Internet Service Provider Yahoo! Inc. was used to convict him. (boxun.com)
Shi Tao, aged 37, worked for the Changsha-based daily Dangdai Shang Bao (Contemporary Business News) until May 2004, when he became a freelance journalist and writer. He is a published poet, and is known for his social commentaries published on overseas Chinese language media such as Democracy Forum (www.boxun.com). He is a member of the Independent Chinese PEN Centre.
Shi Tao was transferred to the high-security Chishan prison in Hunan Province, on 5 September 2005, where he has to do forced labour in a jewelry factory. According to his family, many of the inmates have pneumonia or respiratory ailments as a result of the production process of cutting and polishing jewels. In addition Shi Tao reportedly has a history of ulcers and heart problems.
International PEN protests the detention of journalist, poet and dissident writer Shi Tao, and calls for his immediate and unconditional release in accordance with Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. PEN is seriously concerned for Shi Tao's health, and seeks assurances that he is treated humanely in prison and given access to any necessary medical treatment.
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS
Please send appeals to the Chinese authorities:
- Protesting the detention of journalist, poet and dissident writer
Shi Tao and calling for his immediate and unconditional release in accordance with Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
- Expressing concern about Shi Tao's health, and seeking assurances
that he is treated humanely in prison and urging that he receive any necessary medical treatment.
Government addresses:
His Excellency Hu Jintao
President of the People's Republic of China State Council Beijing 100032 P.R.China.
Her Excellency Ms. Wu Aiying
Minister of Justice
10 Chaoyangmen Nandajie
Chaoyang-qu
Beijing-shi 100020
P.R.China.
Please note that fax numbers are no longer available for the Chinese authorities, so you may wish to ask the diplomatic representative for China in your country to forward your appeals.
Please copy appeals to the diplomatic representative for China in your country if possible.
Centres are encouraged to consider Shi Tao for honorary membership.
For further information, please contact Cathy McCann at International PEN WiPC, 9/10 Charterhouse Buildings, Goswell Road, London EC1M 7AT, U.K. Tel:
+44 (0)207 253 3226, fax: +44 (0)207 253 5711, email: cmccann@wipcpen.org
(boxun.com)
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