Push for Yang Jianli's early releaseChristina Fu September 10, 2004 Dear Friends, Several weeks ago, my good friend Nancy Pronovost, kindly wrote to you asking for your help in the support of Congressional letters concerning my husband's parole. Since then, many of you have taken the time to contact your legislators on my husband's behalf. Thank you all very much. For those of you who still wanted to help, but thought you have missed the deadline, please be advised that the letter signing will continue for a few more weeks. On September 7, 2004, Congressmen Cox and Frank sent around another 'dear colleague' urging members of Congress to show support (see below). Because of your genuine concerns and persistent efforts over the past two years, my husband's case maintains high level of attention and support from the U.S. government and from the international human rights community, which in turn, pushes the Chinese government to follow the international norms and to respect its own laws. In China, good progresses were made. For example, for the last two meetings that my husband had with his lawyer, no police was present to observe or take notes. The authority told them that the rule has been changed to comply with the international standards. According to the Chinese law, my husband will be eligible for parole next month. To make his early release happen, all we need is a big and hopefully last push right now. Please call your Senators and Representatives today. If you prefer, you can send by fax the attached sample letters. Your help is still very much needed and appreciated. Thank you again for all the comfort and encouragement that you have given me and my family during this difficult yet hopeful time. Thank you for standing with me to the end, which is not too far away.
With much love and deep gratitude, P.S. Please click on the following websites for legislatures contact information: http://www.house.gov/Welcome.shtml
Sample letters to: September 7, 2004 Dear Colleague, We write to invite you to sign the letter on the reverse side to Chinese President Hu Jintao urging a favorable response when Dr. Yang Jianli becomes eligible for parole later this year. Dr. Yang Jianli, an internationally renowned scholar and pro-democracy activist, was arrested for reportedly entering the People's Republic of China (PRC) with false or incomplete identity documents in April 2002. A year later, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found that Yang Jianli was being held in violation of international law, and in June 2003, on a roll call vote of 412-0, the House of Representatives unanimously passed H.Res.199 calling for Yang Jianli's release. This past May, the PRC sentenced Yang Jianli to five years in prison for espionage for Taiwan and illegal border crossing. His sentence, which includes time already served in detention, provides for the possibility of parole halfway through his prison term. This would make Yang Jianli eligible for parole in October. If you would like to sign the enclosed letter expressing support for parole for Yang Jianli, or if you have any questions, please contact Daniel McGlinchey (x 53548, Rep. Frank) or Paul Wilkinson (x 56168, Rep. Cox). Thank you.
REP. CHRISTOPHER COX REP. BARNEY FRANK Members currently on this letter: Christopher Cox, Barney Frank, John Shimkus, Michael Capuano, Jo Ann Davis, Chris Van Hollen, William Delahunt, Joseph Pitts, James P. McGovern, Janice Schakowsky, Howard Berman, Ken Calvert, Christopher Smith, Raul M. Grijalva, Carolyn B. Maloney, John Olver, Loretta Sanchez, William Clay, Stephen Lynch, Brian Baird, Scott Garrett -------------------------- |