CCS Petition for Chinese Colleagues

Joel L. Lebowitz, Paul H. Plotz, Walter Reich

cc:  Yang Jiechi, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China

Your Excellency:

We, the undersigned scientists, health professionals, and scholars, wish to call your attention to the attached list of 19 imprisoned colleagues. It is our understanding that they have done nothing more than peacefully exercise their rights in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights--to both of which China is a signatory.

We respectfully request that their cases be reviewed and that consideration be given to granting their release from prison and facilitating the resumption of their careers and lives as productive citizens. Meanwhile, we ask that they benefit from humane treatment and any necessary medical care.

We are grateful for your attention to this matter of humanitarian concern.

Sincerely,

Joel L. Lebowitz, Co-Chair
Paul H. Plotz, Co-Chair
Walter Reich, Co-Chair
Committee of Concerned Scientists (CCS)

A physician from Jilin's Unit 222 Military Hospital who was active in organizing protests by laid-off workers. His current whereabouts are unknown since being taken in for "shelter and investigation" on 21 December 2001.

Huang Qi, 36, a computer engineer from Chengdu, Sichuan Province, was detained in June 2000. His trial began in February 2001, but was postponed after he collapsed in court. He was finally retried in August in a closed hearing from which even his family was excluded. No verdict has been announced.

Jiang, an aeronautical engineer, was detained in May 1999 and formally arrested on June 26, 1999. In November 1999, Jiang was sentenced to four years in prison and one years deprivation of political rights. Jiang had already served more than a year in prison for his participation in the 1989 demonstrations.

A 27-year old geological engineer from Beijing, Jin and four others co-founded the "New Youth Study Group" to discuss social issues, political reform, and rural problems. He was detained on 13 March 2001 and tried on 28 September 2001, but no verdict from that trial has been announced.

A 38-year old doctor of Chinese medicine and medical researcher at Beijing's Anding Hospital, Kang was sentenced in June 1995 to 17 years' imprisonment. Serving his sentence in Beijing's Yanqing Prison, Kang has received sentence reductions totalling 3 years, 8 months in 1998, 1999, and 2001. He is due for release on 28 September 2005.

A 40-year old professor of medicine and Falun Gong practitioner from Henan Province, Li was sentenced to 4 years' imprisonment on 30 December. His release is expected on 29 October 2003.

Li Hai, former teacher at Beijing's Chinese Medical College and philosophy graduate student at Beijing University, is serving a nine-year-sentence in Beijing's Liangxiang prison after having been convicted in December 1996. He is reportedly seriously ill and suffers from hepatitis, high blood pressure and gallstones.

A psychology student at Beijing Normal University, Liu was detained and has been held at an unknown location since November 2002. Liu is being held incommunicado at an unknown location. Her family has not been officially notified of the reasons for her arrest or her whereabouts.

All members of a group of Falun Gong practitioners from Qinghua University in Beijing who who were sentenced on 13 December 2001. Liu, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Thermal Engineering, was sentenced to 3 years' imprisonment. Liu's wife, microelectrics researcher Yao Yue, received a 12-year sentence. Meng, an assistant professor of electrical engineering, received a 10-year sentence. Wang, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Precision Instruments and Mechanology, received a 9-year sentence.

A 68-year old retired physics professor at Hunan University, Tong was sentenced in 1999 to 10 years' imprisonment. He is being held in Chishan Prison in Hunan Province and is expected to be released on 9 June 2009. Tong suffers from a variety of ailments, and has been denied family visits.

A chemist at a state-run pharmaceutical company, Wang was sentenced on 13 December 2001 to 4 years' imprisonment. He is being held in Shandong Number One Prison and is due for release on 23 May 2005.

While a graduate student in physics at Beijing University, Wang served a 3-year sentence beginning in 1990 relating to his participation in the pro-democracy movement. In 21 December 1998 he was sentenced to 11 years' imprisonment. Wang is serving his sentence in Zhejiang Number One Prison and is due to be released on 9 October 2009. Wang suffers from tracheitis.

A 36-year old academic, Wu was repeatedly detained and ultimately sentenced to 11 years in prison. He is currently being held in Zhejiang Provincial Number One Prison.

A Harvard University researcher with a doctorate in mathematics and a U.S. permanent resident, Yang entered China in order to investigate labor strikes in northeast China. Yang has been held incommunicado since being detained on 26 April 2002.

Yang, a software engineer known for his outspoken criticism of communism and a grass-roots activist at Beijing University, and his wife Lu Kun were detained by security agents on March 13, 2001. Lu was released two days later, but Yang remains in custody.

A 40-year old chemist from Hangzhou, Zhu was sentenced on 29 April 2000 to 10 years' imprisonment and is currently serving his sentence in Zhejiang Number One Prison. Zhu is due to be released on 17 December 2009.

--------------------------
Source: "Joel L. Lebowitz's website".