[huridocs-tech] China: Internet activist Zhang Yuxiang detained

HRIC Press Release
For Immediate Release
March 14, 2003

Human Rights in China (HRIC) has learned that Internet activist Zhang 
Yuxiang has become the latest victim of Chinese authorities' crackdown on 
free expression on the Internet.

Sources in China told HRIC that Jiangsu native Zhang Yuxiang was arrested 
in his home in Zhujiang Road, Nanjing, around ten o'clock at night on March 
12. He was then transported to the Jiangsu Provincial Public Security 
Bureau, and from there is believed to have been placed under house arrest 
in a guesthouse in Jiangsu's Siyang County. Up to the present Zhang's wife 
has not been given any formal notice or documentation regarding his arrest.

Sources say Zhang is being interrogated about articles he posted on the 
Internet. The Nanjing PSB is also involved in his case, as Nanjing 
authorities had forbidden Zhang to communicate with outsiders. Sources 
believe that Zhang's fate and will hinge on how well he cooperates with 
authorities, in particular regarding the activities of other Internet 
activists.

Zhang's detention follows the recent arrest of several other Internet 
activists, including Liu Di and Li Yibin in Beijing, Ouyang Yi in Sichuan, 
Jiang Lijun in Liaoning and Tao Haidong in Xinjiang. Tao Haidong has 
already been sentenced to seven years in prison.

Zhang Yuxiang was originally a cadre in the propaganda department of the 
Nanjing Air Force. He was imprisoned on counterrevolutionary charges for 
two years after helping to establish the Chinese Democratic Federation with 
Yang Tongyan and others. Since being released from prison Zhang has 
continued to take part in petitions with other dissidents, and to air his 
political views on the Internet.

HRIC president Liu Qing observes, "Zhang Yuxiang is just the latest example 
of the Chinese government's relentless suppression of free expression and 
free exchange of information. China can't hope to become a genuine member 
of the international community if it continues to turn its back on basic 
human rights protected in international covenants."

HRIC calls on the Chinese government to immediately release Zhang Yuxiang, 
as well as Liu Di, Li Yibin, Ouyang Yi, Jiang Lijun, Tao Haidong, and all 
other activists detained for peaceful expression of their political views.

For more information, contact:
Stacy Mosher (English) 212-268-9074
Liu Qing (Chinese) 212-239-4495



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