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DemocracyAlerts

From time to time, the World Movement for Democracy issues alerts concerning participants and other colleagues who are, or may be, facing personal danger due to their work on behalf of democracy and for whom a vigorous response from around the world may be critical.

To see previous alerts go to www.wmd.org/democracyalerts/democracyAlerts.html.

(July 1, 2008)

DemocracyAlert: Chinese Human Rights Activists under House Arrest during US Congress Visit to Beijing

According to Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD), on June 29, authorities put a number of Beijing-based human rights lawyers and activists under house arrest.  CHRD believes that the house arrests are meant to prevent those human rights defenders from meeting with members of the US Congress who are currently visiting China.  Those put under house arrest include Li Baiguang, Jiang Tianyong, Teng Biao, Li Heping, Li Xiongbing, Li Fangping, Fan Yafeng, Zhang Xingshui, and Liu Xiaobo.

Li Baiguang, Teng Biao, and Li Heping were among the recipients of the 2008 Democracy Award, an award given by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), the secretariat of the World Movement for Democracy.  They received the democracy award for their heroic efforts working to advance democratic values and fundamental rights within China.  In June, Li Baiguang and Li Heping travelled to the US to receive the award and met with President Bush.  Upon their return, they were questioned and intimidated by the police.  Teng Biao was unable to attend the ceremony because police confiscated his passport earlier this year.

For more information from CHRD on the house arrests, go to: www.crd-net.org/Article/Class9/Class10/200807/20080701154600_9218.html

For more information from NED on the 2008 Democracy Award, go to: www.ned.org/events/demaward/demaward2008.html

The World Movement’s Defending Civil Society report addresses the issues of restrictive legal frameworks that democracy and human rights activists face.  Go to:
www.wmd.org/documents/Defending%20Civil%20Society%20-%20Chinese.pdf (in Chinese)
www.wmd.org/documents/Defending%20Civil%20Society%20-%20English.pdf (in English)