Yu Zhuo

Human Rights in China calls on the Shenzhen Bureau of the Ministry of State Security and the Shenzhen Municipal Public Security Bureau to provide an immediate and full explanation of the death of former student activist, political prisoner, and long-time member of Human Rights in China, YU ZHUO. Human Rights in China also calls on the People's Daily, China Central Television, the Shenzhen Daily, as well as other Chinese and international media to launch full investigations into the circumstances of Yu Zhuo's death.

According to family members, on the afternoon of December 18, Yu Zhuo, 29, left his office in the southern city of Shenzhen. He never returned home. Six days later on December 24th, after repeated inquiries from his family and colleagues, the Shenzhen Municipal Public Safety Bureau stated that Yu Zhuo had died in a car accident during the early hours of December 19. Shi Qianying, a public security officer charged with surveillance of Yu Zhuo, told family members that he had been in Yu's vehicle during the accident that resulted in Yu's death. According to Shi Qianying, he escaped the accident without injury. However, Shi failed to contact Yu Zhuo's family.

Yu Zhuo was a leading student activist in the central Chinese city of Wuhan during the 1989 pro-democracy protests. Following the June Fourth massacre and nationwide crackdown on the movement, Yu was dismissed from Hubei University and warned of his impending arrest. Yu managed to escape to Nepal, only to be turned over to Chinese authorities by the Nepalese government during a state visit by Premier Li Peng. After serving a one-year prison sentence, Yu Zhuo entered Wuhan University under an assumed name and did graduate work in economics. In 1992, on the third anniversary of the June Fourth Massacre, Yu Zhuo tacked up posters on noticeboards at several universities in Wuhan calling for "investigation into the responsibility for the June Fourth Massacre," "compensation for victims' families," "release of all political prisoners," and "initiation of democratic reform."

After a lengthy investigation, Yu was detained by the Wuhan Public Security Bureau on September 3, 1992. During nine months of incarceration without formal charges for "Shelter and Investigation," Yu was not permitted a single visit from his family. The maximum detention allowable under the regulations governing this form of detention is three months and family visits should be permitted. Only after pressure from international governments and human rights organizations did the Wuhan Public Security Judiciary disclose that Yu Zhuo had been formally charged with "counterrevolutionary propaganda and incitement" and sentenced to two years imprisonment.

Yu Zhuo's father, Yu Mingchu, worked relentlessly to gain his son's release. He heard about Human Rights in China and contacted us in early 1993. We then worked closely with him on Yu Zhuo's case. One after another, the lawyers engaged by the family to defend Yu Zhuo withdrew from the case due to political pressure from the authorities. When the trial was finally held, Yu Zhuo defended himself and filed an appeal against the two-year sentence immediately after it was announced on October 11.

In his defense statement, Yu bravely stated: "I do not consider the student movement of 1989 to be ‘counterrevolutionary turmoil and rebellion,' it was not aimed at overthrowing the government or the socialist system. In fact, a small group of people with the Party who use their power in a corrupt way to pursue their own interests intentionally created this tragedy. My purpose in putting up the posters was to increase the stability and unity of the political situation. I don't think this should be prosecuted as counterrevolutionary propaganda and incitement."

Yu Zhuo and his family have been under constant surveillance by public security officers since his release from prison in 1994. Despite this, Yu Zhuo made his way to the border city of Shenzhen and established his own computer company and continued to be active in peaceful pro-democracy and human rights activities inside China.

Yu Zhuo is the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Yu Mingchu, both in their seventies. Due to his long-time support of his son's activities, Yu Mingchu's own company in Wuhan was forced to close by local authorities two years ago. Since then, Yu Zhou has been the main source of support for his entire family.

Human Rights in China has set up a fund to help Yu Zhuo's family in their time of crisis. Tax-deductible donation checks can be made out to: Human Rights in China. In the memo section of the check please write: "Humanitarian Assistance - Yu Zhuo" and mail to HRIC, 350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 3309, New York, NY 10118.

With our deepest sympathy and respect,

Liu Qing
Chairman

Xiao Qiang
Executive Director

Sophia Woodman
Hong Kong Office Director