Human Rights in China Protests Apparent Disappearance of Zhao ChangqingHong Kong Voice of Democracy FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 9, 2002 Human Rights in China Protests Apparent Disappearance of Zhao Changqing Zhao Changqing, 34, who gathered 170 signatures on a petition demanding the release of Yang Jianli, has disappeared, according to friends and relatives. On June 28, Zhao distributed the signed petition to international media via Human Rights in China. No information about his whereabouts has been available since July 3. At the end of June, Zhang Zongai, a friend of Zhao's, was questioned by police regarding Zhao's activities. According to sources, the Chinese Public Security Department is deeply troubled by Zhao's ability to gather 170 signatures in such a short period of time. Zhao Changqing studied history at Shaanxi Normal University, participated in the 1989 Tiananmen movement, and was arrested and imprisoned for half a year after June 4. In 1997, Zhao ran for the local people's representative, but the local government openly violated the election laws regarding the selection of candidates. Soon after in 1998, Zhao was arrested for endangering state security and was sentenced for three years in prison. After his release in March 2001, he lost his job as a middle school teacher. Human Rights in China calls upon the Chinese government properly to investigate Zhao's disappearance. If Zhao was indeed arrested by the police, he must be provided with proper legal defense, and his family mustbe informed as to his whereabouts.
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