Chinese Democracy Activist Liu Xianbin Detained

ChinaAid
August 2, 2010

Christian and human rights activist Liu Xianbin was arrested on June 28, 2010 on suspicion of “inciting subversion of state power.”  The day after his arrrest, authorities also harrased and threatened Liu’s wife and 13-year-old daughter.  Liu has been a long-time voice calling for reform in China, particularly regarding human rights and religious freedom.  
For more information, read Amnesty International’s recently published article on Liu Xianbin, which is posted below. For those who wish to appeal on Liu Xianbin’s behalf to the authorities, see the government contact information at the end of the article.     


Original articlefrom Amnesty International, 7-5-2010
Also available as a PDF.

CHINESE DEMOCRACY ACTIVIST DETAINED

Liu Xianbin was detained on 28 June in Suining City, Sichuan Province, on suspicion of “inciting subversion of state power”. Amnesty International believes that he is detained for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression through his human rights and democracy activism.

Liu Xianbin is a prominent Sichuan democracy activist, aged 43, who has previously served two prison terms for his human rights and democracy activism. On 28 June, 14 security officers arrived at his home in Suining, Sichuan Province. Some of the officers took Liu Xianbin to the local Public Security Bureau station for questioning, while the others remained to search his home, confiscating two computer hard drives, two portable drives, his bank card and records of payments he received for articles he published online. According to the detention notice provided to his wife, Chen Mingxian, he is being detained on suspicion of “inciting subversion of state power”.

According to his lawyer, who met Liu Xianbin on 1 July, police questioned him about his support of other democracy activists and human rights defenders, including Chen Yunfei, as well as his numerous online articles in support of democratic reforms. Local human rights activists believe he is being punished for his continued democracy activism and defence of human rights after being released from prison in November 2008. Since his release in 2008, Liu has been involved in high-profile activities: He has supported Charter 08, a proposal for fundamental legal and political reform in China that aims to achieve a democratic system that respects human rights; he has also published articles on human rights and democracy and worked to increase public awareness of other persecuted activists.

Liu Xianbin is currently being held at the Suining City Detention Centre. On 29 June, security officers summoned Liu Xianbin’s wife and questioned her for approximately three hours about his activities. They also conducted an investigation at the school attended by the couple’s 13-year old daughter, leaving her in tears.

Liu Xianbin’s detention is believed to be arbitrary, according to the standards of the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, and in violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that guarantees the right of freedom of expression and peaceful association.
PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY 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 SEND APPEALS BEFORE 16 AUGUST 2010 TO:
Director of Suining City Public Security Bureau
WANG Minghua Juzhang
Suiningshi Gonganju
19 Hepinglu, Chuanshanqu,
Suiningshi 629000, Sichuansheng
People’s Republic of China
Fax: +86 825 222 7051
Salutation: Dear Director
Director of Suining City People’s Procuratorate
Yuanchazhang
Suiningshi Jianchayuan
158 Hepinglu, Shixiaqu,
Suiningshi 629000, Sichuansheng
People’s Republic of China
Salutation: Dear Director
Procurator of Sichuan’s Provincial People’s Procuratorate
CHEN Wenqing Jianchazhang
Sichuansheng Renmin Jianchayuan
51 Renminzhonglu Erduan
Qingyangqu
Chengdushi 610017, Sichuansheng
People’s Republic of China
Salutation: Dear Procurator

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date.
Additional Information

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

He had been repeatedly summoned and harassed by police before being detained again on June 28, 2010.
(Seeoriginal articlefrom Amnesty International.)


For more information on Liu Xianbin, see the following articles:
7/1/2010 – Liu Xianbin arrested for demanding respect for human rights
7/7/2010 – Threats and arrests for Chinese dissidents: “inciting to subvert state power”
Since July 5, 2010, Bob Fu, president of China Aid Association, has been praying for Liu Xianbin every Monday morning.  China Aid Association has made the decision to support Liu’s family financially until his release, but what they need most is the return of their husband and father. We encourage concerned individuals to contact the government authorities on Liu Xianbin’s behalf, and we ask Christians worldwide to pray for his safety and swift release.


China Aid Contacts
Rachel Ritchie, English Media Director
Cell: (432) 553-1080 | Office: 1+ (888) 889-7757 | Other: (432) 689-6985
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.chinaaid.org

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Chinese Democracy Activist Liu Xianbin Detained

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