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More: http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/business/4631335.htm http://slashdot.org/articles/02/11/28/0032243.shtml?tid=153 http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/6/28349.html http://www.itworld.com/Tech/2987/021129china33/ http://asia.cnn.com/2002/TECH/11/27/china.amnesty/ See: http://web.amnesty.org/web/content.nsf/pages/gbr_china_internet "The use of information technology is vital for the world economy and social development" Prime Minister Zhu Rongji, at a lecture on Technology, Beijing, 27 February 2002 Since the commercialisation of the Internet in China in 1995, China has become one of the fastest-growing Internet markets in the world. The number of domestic Internet users is doubling every six months. With the introduction of the Internet, news reaches China from a multiplicity of sources enabling people to form opinions, analyse and share information and to communicate in ways previously unknown in China. Lively on-line debate characterised the start of the Internet in China. However, the potential of the Internet to spread new ideas has led the authorities to take measures to control its use. The authorities have introduced scores of regulations, closed Internet cafes, blocked e-mails, search engines, foreign news and politically-sensitive websites, and have recently introduced a filtering system for web searches on a list of prohibited key words and terms. Those violating the laws and regulations which aim to restrict free expression of opinion and circulation of information through the Internet may face imprisonment and according to recent regulations some could even be sentenced to death. Amnesty International has compiled records of 33 prisoners of conscience who have been detained for using the Internet to circulate or download information. Further information China: Internet users at risk of arbitrary detention, torture and even execution (ASA 17/056/2002) http://web.amnesty.org/web/content.nsf/pages/gbr_china_internet Report: State control of the Internet in China (ASA 17/007/2002) http://web.amnesty.org/ai.nsf/Index/asa170072002?OpenDocument&of=COUNTRIES\CHINA List of People Detained for Internet-related Offences in China (PDF format) http://web.amnesty.org/web/content.nsf/pages/gbrimages7/$FILE/China_internet_list.pdf Take action Yang Zili http://www.bignews.org Other appeal cases Jin Haike, Xu Wei, Yang Zili and Zhang Honghai, Prisoners of Conscience, Beijing Jin Haike, Xu Wei, Yang Zili and Zhang Honghai, all members of a study group called the New Youth Study Group (Xin Qingnian Xuehui), were detained on 13 March 2001. The New Youth Study Group was an informal group of individuals who met regularly to explore topics related to political and social reform including the promotion and observance of democratic voting procedures in the election of village committees. The Internet was reportedly used by the Study Group to disseminate articles. All were formally charged with "subverting the state power" on 20 April 2001 under Article 105 of the Criminal Law. A trial was held on 28 September 2001 at the Beijing Intermediate People's Court. This was adjourned after four hours and no verdict was announced. Over a year later there still has been no official announcement on the verdict, and it is unclear where the four are held. If sentenced the four could receive sentences of up to ten years' imprisonment. According to the indictment the defendants had proposed changing the current political regime in China, setting up branch groups and publishing articles on the Internet, establishing web sites and distributing information and articles written by the group, in particular "Be a new citizen, reform China" and "What's to be done". The defendants' families received the indictment on 19 September 2001, less than 10 days before the trial. The trial was reportedly attended by three family members, two other people and the rest of the seats were occupied by officials. Three of the defendants were represented by lawyers but Zhang Honghai had no legal representation. Yang Zili, a writer and computer engineer, is well known in academic circles for his technological expertise in evading government firewalls and setting up e-mail accounts that could not be monitored by the authorities. Yang had his own website entitled, "Yang Zili's Garden of Ideas" featuring poems, essays and reports by various authors, with subjects ranging from rural elections to political reform. The website was reportedly shut down by the authorities soon after Yang's arrest. Jin Haike is a geophysicist and worked at the Geological Survey Institute and Xu Wei is a reporter and editor of the Consumer Daily newspaper. Zhang Honghai is a freelance writer. Please send appeals for Jin Haike, Xu Wei, Yang Zili and Zhang Honghai: Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Jin Haike, Xu Wei, Yang Zili and Zhang Honghai as prisoners of conscience held for the peaceful exercise of their right to freedom of expression and association. Expressing concern that they have been detained for over 18 months, most of the time incommunicado, and urging that they are given immediate and regular access to lawyers and their families. Urging that steps are taken to ensure that everyone in China is able to use the Internet to receive and transmit their beliefs and opinions in line with their fundamental human rights to freedom of opinion and expression. Please send appeals in Chinese, English or your own language to: Mayor of Beijing Municipal People's Government LIU Qi Shizhang Beijingshi Renmin Zhengfu 2 Zhengyilu Dongchengqu Beijingshi 100744 People's Republic of China Salutation: Dear Mayor Director of the Beijing Public Security Bureau MA Zhenchuan Juzhang Gong'anju 19 Qianmen Dongdajie Xuanwuqu Beijingshi 100740 People's Republic of China Salutation: Dear Director [EMAIL PROTECTED] Fax: + 86 10 6524 1596 Copies to: Director of Ministry of Information Industry WU Jichuan 13 Xichang'anjie Beijingshi 100804 People's Republic of China Salutation: Dear Director [EMAIL PROTECTED] Minister of State Security of the People's Republic of China XU Yongyue Anquanbuzhang 14 Dongchanganjie Beijingshi 100741 People's Republic of China Salutation: Your Excellency Take further action: Appeal cases *** Past Messages, Discussion http://e-democracy.org/do *** *** To subscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *** *** Message body: SUB DO-WIRE *** *** To UNSUBSCRIBE instead, write: UNSUB DO-WIRE *** *** Please forward this post to others and encourage *** *** them to subscribe to the free DO-WIRE service. *** *** Please send submissions to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ***
