Banned Books Week
Shi Tao
CHINA
journalist
Shi Tao, 36, a widely published writer who most recently worked as a journalist for the Contemporary Trade News, wrote many essays drawing attention to social problems in China, and frequently contributed to online pro-democracy fora. He also has published several volumes of poetry, among them Borders of Heaven (2002). In 2005, the Committee to Protect Journalists recognized him with an International Press Freedom Award, which he was unable to accept in person because of his detention.
In April 2004, Shi Tao used his Yahoo! personal account to e-mail the text of a central government order, barring media organizations in China from marking the 15th anniversary of the Tiananmen crackdown, to a New York based website for publication. Using information obtained from Yahoo!, the Chinese government arrested him on 24 November 2004 at his home in Taiyuan, Shanxi province. Later he was charged with "illegally divulging state secrets abroad". In February 2005, while Mr Shi awaited trial, his defense lawyer's office reportedly was searched by police who seized his computer and license to practice law.
A closed two-hour hearing in the Changsha Intermediate People's Court on 27 April 2005 found Shi Tao guilty; he was sentenced to 10 years in prison on 30 April. According to Human Rights in China, the judge told him, "Your actions have seriously injured the interests of our country. This sentence is the lightest possible." His appeal was denied on 2 June 2005.
Several reports indicate that Shi Tao has performed forced labor and is not receiving adequate medical care. Amnesty International considers Shi Tao to be a prisoner of conscience, held for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression & opinion and for the legitimate exercise of his right to seek, receive and impart information, as guaranteed under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which the Chinese Government has signed.
Please call for the immediate and unconditional release of prisoner of conscience Shi Tao and for an end to ongoing harassment and arbitrary detention of others who engage in nonviolent human rights activities on behalf of others.
Wu Aiying Buzhang
Minister of Justice of the PRC
Ministry of Justice
10 Chaoyangmen Nandajie
Chaoyangqu
Beijingshi 100020
People's Republic of China
Salutation: Dear Minister
Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong
Embassy of the People's Republic of China
2300 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Fax: 202-328-2582
Airmail postage abroad: 84¢
