Drop Politically-Motivated Charges against Hu Jia

Human Rights in China condemns the indictment of long-time HIV/AIDS activist and rights defender Hu Jia (胡佳) on charges of “inciting subversion of state power.” “Hu’s indictment, following close on the heels of the abduction and questioning of human rights lawyer Teng Biao, and the attack on lawyer Li Heping, sends a clear and chilling message to China’s own citizens: no critical voices will be tolerated, despite international criticism of China’s ongoing crackdowns and censorship,” said Sharon Hom, Executive Director of Human Rights in China. “The international community needs to send a strong message of support to China’s rights defenders and engage China to challenge its confidence in its own impunity.”

The international community needs to send a strong message of support to China’s rights defenders and engage China to challenge its confidence in its own impunity. — Sharon Hom, Executive Director of HRIC

According to Hu’s lawyers, Hu received the indictment on March 7. Hu’s trial date has yet to be announced—the court has seven days to decide whether to accept the case—but they believe he will have a public trial. Hu was detained in December 2007 and formally arrested in late January 2008. Reports state that the police said Hu was being investigated due to articles he published online. In September 2007, Hu Jia and rights defense lawyer Teng Biao (滕彪) posted their article, “The Real Situation in Pre-Olympics China,” online, calling on the international community to develop a dialogue and pressure the Chinese government on its human rights situation before the Olympics. Teng himself was abducted by police on March 6, 2008. Upon his release on March 8, Teng indicated that he was not free to discuss the matter. Hu Jia’s wife, Zeng Jinyan (曾金燕), and their four-month old daughter are currently under house arrest.

Other human rights violations have also been linked to the Beijing Olympics. Heilongjiang-based land rights defender Yang Chunlin (杨春林) was also charged with “inciting subversion of state power,” and awaits the verdict in his case. In June 2007, Yang launched the open letter campaign “We want human rights, not the Olympics,” which gathered over 10,000 signatures. Yang was tried on February 19, 2008.

• "The Real Situation in Pre-Olympics China," China Rights Forum, No. 4 2007, http://hrichina.org/public/PDFs/CRF.4.2007/CRF-2007-4_Situation.pdf.

For more information on Hu Jia, see:

• "HRIC Action Bulletin: Activist Hu Jia Arrested (updated)," February 29, 2008, http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/47293;

Visit HRIC’s Incorporating Responsibility 2008 Olympics Take Action Campaign (http://www.ir2008.org) for more information on on-going human rights issues and how you can make a difference.

• Take Action for Mao Hengfeng! (http://www.ir2008.org)
• Take Action for Petitioners in China! (http://www.ir2008.org)