RAPID ACTION NETWORK
23 July 2008
RAN 37/08
The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN
protests the re-arrest of dissident writer and member of
the Independent Chinese PEN Centre Du Daobin, who was
detained on 21 July 2008 for apparently violating the
conditions of his probation. Du Daobin was previously
arrested in October 2003 and sentenced to three years in
prison on subversion charges for his online critical
writings, but was released conditionally in June 2004 after
eight months in prison. He is now thought to be required to
serve the remainder of his sentence. International PEN
calls for his immediate and unconditional release, in
accordance with Article 19 of the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights, to which China is a signatory.

Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CRD) give the following
information:
‘On July 21, Du Daobin, a writer on probation for “inciting
subversion of state power”, was taken away by police.
According to his family, police said Du will have to serve
the rest of his term in prison for violating the relevant
laws while on probation. At around noon yesterday, half a
dozen National Security police from Yingcheng City Public
Security Bureau (PSB), Hubei Province, took Du away from
his workplace. Police also searched Du’s home and
confiscated two computers and some letters. Police alleged
that, while on probation, Du published more than a hundred
essays on overseas websites, failed to report to the police
regularly and did not notify the police when he travelled
outside of his hometown and when he hosted guests at home.
For these ‘violations’, Du will be sent back to prison. Du
has almost finished serving his term after he was convicted
in 2004.
Police apparently acted in violation of legal procedures.
According to the relevant Chinese laws, to send an
individual on probation back to prison, the PSB needs to
make an application to the Court. The Court then decides on
the application. However, the police did not present any
court documents when they took Du away, nor have police
notified Du’s family of where he is being held or how he
can be contacted.
Du, 43, is a well-known dissident writer from Yingcheng
City, Hubei Province. On June 11, 2004, Du was convicted of
“inciting subversion of state power” and sentenced to three
years’ imprisonment commuted to four years’ probation and
two years’ deprivation of political rights. According to
the court verdict, between July 2002 and October 2003, Du
posted twenty-six articles on internet websites such as
Dajiyuan and New Century in China and abroad. Du wrote that
the current government is illegitimate and its power
“dictatorial, violent, cruel, unfair and corrupt.” As the
Chinese government had “lost the qualification to represent
the side of justice,” “the issue of subversion of
government being illegal does not exist.” These comments
were considered slanderous and inciting of subversion of
state power.’
Please send appeals:

Protesting the arrest of writer Du Daobin, and calling for
his immediate and unconditional release in accordance with
Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights to which China is a signatory.

Urging that he is granted full access to his family and
legal representation, and is treated humanely in detention.

The WiPC recommends that you copy your appeal to the
Chinese embassy in your country asking them to forward it
and welcoming any comments.

Government addresses:
His Excellency Hu Jintao
President of the People’s Republic of China
State Council
Beijing 100032
P.R. China.