Over 300 Citizens Issue "Charter 08"; Several Activists Detained

December 20, 2008

More than 300 Chinese citizens--including scholars, writers, lawyers, and activists--issued Charter 08 (English / Chinese), an open statement calling for greater rights and political reform in China on the eve of December 10. The date coincides with the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Human Rights Day. The prominent intellectual Liu Xiaobo has been detained under suspicion of "inciting subversion" in connection with Charter 08, according to a December 10 Independent Chinese Pen Center article (in Chinese). Several other activists also have been detained in advance of Human Rights Day.

More than 300 Chinese citizens--including scholars, writers, lawyers, and activists--issued Charter 08 (English / Chinese), an open statement calling for greater rights and political reform in China on the eve of December 10. The date coincides with the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Human Rights Day. The prominent intellectual Liu Xiaobo has been detained under suspicion of "inciting subversion" in connection with Charter 08, according to a December 10 Independent Chinese Pen Center article (in Chinese). Several other activists also have been detained in advance of Human Rights Day.

In a December 9 statement issued by Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD), CHRD describes Charter 08 as a declaration for "bold political reforms, including an end to one-party rule and replacement of the current political system with one based on human rights and democracy." The signatories propose a 19-point plan, which includes direct elections of legislative bodies and administration officials, the establishment of a federated republic, an independent judiciary, separation of judicial, executive, and legislative powers, environmental protection, and the safeguarding of human rights, including the freedoms of assembly, association, religion, and speech. According to Professor Perry Link, who translated Charter 08 into English, the signatories intend the document "to serve as a blueprint for fundamental political change in China in the years to come." Inspired by the Charter 77 movement in Czechoslovakia, the signatories will form "an informal and open group" dedicated to advancing human rights and democracy in China, according to the CHRD statement. Charter 08 calls on Chinese citizens to work together "for major changes in Chinese society and for the rapid establishment of a free, democratic and constitutional country . . . to bring a brilliant new chapter to Chinese civilization."

Chinese authorities detained Liu Xiaobo and another prominent Beijing-based intellectual, Zhang Zuhua, for their involvement with Charter 08, according to a December 9 Associated Press (AP) article (via Newsvine). The AP reported that authorities released Zhang Zuhua after holding him for 12 hours and warned him to cease his involvement with the charter. Zhang's home was searched and his computer, notebooks, and passport seized, according to the December 9 statement issued by CHRD. Zhang said that the police informed him they are conducting a formal investigation and they have confined him to his home, according to a December 9 Telegraph article. The South China Morning Post (subscription required) reported that Liu Xiaobo's wife, Liu Xia, said that at least 10 police searched their home and confiscated computers, articles, and books. The Committee to Protect Journalists issued a statement on December 9 calling for Liu's release, as did Reporters Without Borders.

Chinese authorities have detained and harassed other activists in advance of Human Rights Day. On December 4, in Guizhou province, authorities detained two human rights activists, Chen Xi and Shen Youlian, who were organizing a symposium and other events to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, according to a Human Rights in China press release. Three other symposium organizers, Liao Shuangyuan, Huang Yanming, and Du Heping, reportedly "disappeared" before December 4. All five of the Guizhou activists signed Charter 08.

For more information on the arbitrary detention of activists and restrictions on freedom of expression, see Section II - Rights of Criminal Suspects and Defendants and Freedom of Expression in the Congressional-Executive Commission on China's 2008 Annual Report.