AI URGENT ACTION: Chinese democracy activist detained: Liu Xianbin

 Document – China: Chinese democracy activist detained: Liu Xianbin

UA: 152/10 Index: ASA17/028/2010 China Date: 5 July 2010

URGENTACTION

CHINESE DEMOCRACYACTIVIST DETAINED

LiuXianbin was detained on 28 June in Suining City, Sichuan Province,on suspicion of “inciting subversion of state power”. AmnestyInternational believes that he is detained for peacefullyexercising his right to freedom of expression through his humanrights and democracy activism.

LiuXianbin is a prominent Sichuan democracy activist, aged 43, whohas previously served two prison terms for his human rights anddemocracy activism. On 28 June, 14 security officers arrived at hishome in Suining, Sichuan Province. Some of the officers took LiuXianbin to the local Public Security Bureau station forquestioning, while the others remained to search his home,confiscating two computer hard drives, two portable drives, hisbank card and records of payments he received for articles hepublished online. According to the detention notice provided to hiswife, Chen Mingxian, he is being detained on suspicion of “incitingsubversion of state power”.

According tohis lawyer, who met Liu Xianbin on 1 July, police questioned himabout his support of other democracy activists and human rightsdefenders, including Chen Yunfei, as well as his numerous onlinearticles in support of democratic reforms. Local human rightsactivists believe he is being punished for his continued democracyactivism and defence of human rights after being released fromprison in November 2008. Since his release in 2008, Liu has beeninvolved in high-profile activities: He has supported Charter 08, aproposal for fundamental legal and political reform in China thataims to achieve a democratic system that respects human rights; hehas also published articles on human rights and democracy andworked to increase public awareness of other persecutedactivists.

Liu Xianbinis currently being held at the Suining City Detention Centre. On 29June, security officers summoned Liu Xianbin’s wife and questionedher for approximately three hours about his activities. They alsoconducted an investigation at the school attended by the couple’s13-year old daughter, leaving her in tears.

Liu Xianbin’sdetention is believed to be arbitrary, according to the standardsof the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, and inviolation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights thatguarantees the right of freedom of expression and peacefulassociation.

PLEASE WRITEIMMEDIATELY in Mandarin, English or your own language:

• Calling on the authorities to release Liu Xianbin immediately and unconditionally as he was detained solely for his peaceful exercise of the right to freedom of expression and association;

• Urging the authorities to guarantee that Liu Xianbin will not be tortured or otherwise ill-treated while he remains in custody.

• Urging the authorities to ensure that Liu Xianbin is allowed access to his lawyer and family and any medical treatment that he may require.

PLEASE SENDAPPEALS BEFORE 16 AUGUST 2010 TO:

Director of Suining City PublicSecurity Bureau

WANG MinghuaJuzhang

SuiningshiGonganju

19 Hepinglu,Chuanshanqu,

Suiningshi629000, Sichuansheng

People’sRepublic of China

Fax: +86 825 2227051

Salutation: Dear Director

Director of Suining City People'sProcuratorate

Yuanchazhang

SuiningshiJianchayuan

158 Hepinglu,Shixiaqu,

Suiningshi629000, Sichuansheng

People’sRepublic of China

Salutation: Dear Director

Procurator of Sichuan's ProvincialPeople's Procuratorate

CHEN WenqingJianchazhang

SichuanshengRenmin Jianchayuan

51 RenminzhongluErduan

Qingyangqu

Chengdushi610017, Sichuansheng

People'sRepublic of China

Salutation: Dear Procurator

Also sendcopies to diplomatic representatives accredited to yourcountry. Please check with your section office if sendingappeals after the above date.

URGENT ACTION

CHINESE DEMOCRACYACTIVIST DETAINED

ADditional Information

In 1992, Liu Xianbin was sentenced to two and a half years inprison for his participation in the 1989 pro-democracy movement.Upon release, he continued his activism for democracy and humanrights in China. In 1998, he co-founded the Sichuan branch of theChina Democracy Party. In 1999, Liu Xianbin was convicted of“subversion of state power” and sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonmentand three years’ deprivation of political rights for theseactivities. He was released on November 6, 2008.

He had been repeatedly summoned and harassed by police before beingdetained again on June 28, 2010.

UA: 152/10 Index: ASA 17/028/2010 Issue Date: 5 July 2010