TAKE ACTION:
- Write a letter in your own words or using the sample below as a guide to one or both government officials listed. You can also email, fax, call or Tweet them.
- Click here to let us know the actions you took on Urgent Action 164.20. It’s important to report because we share the total number with the officials we are trying to persuade and the people we are trying to help.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Director He Dong
Baoji City Public Security Bureau
57, Zhongshanxilu,
Weibin Qu, Baoji Shi,
Shanxi Province,
721001
People’s Republic of China
Ambassador Cui Tiankai
Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
3505 International Place NW, Washington DC 20008
Phone: 202 495 2266 I Fax: 202 495 2138
Email:
[email protected]
Twitter:
@ChineseEmbinUS
Salutation: Dear Ambassador
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear Director He,
I am writing to express my concern for human rights lawyer Chang Weiping (常玮平), who was taken away by police officers from Baoji City on 22 October. Chang is currently being detained incommunicado under “residential surveillance in a designated location” (指定居所监视居住) on suspicion of “inciting subversion of state power” (煽动颠覆国家政权). I am deeply worried that he might be subjected to torture and other ill-treatment while in police custody.
On 26 October, Chang Weiping’s father went along with family-appointed defense lawyers to request information from the Gaoxin District Branch Public Security Bureau. Their requests for legal documentation, access to Chang and application for bail were all rejected. Arbitrarily detaining Chang for practicing his freedom of expression and refusing him access to his lawyers and family members violate the principle of equality before the law and equal protection of the law under Article 7 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
It is distressing to learn that Chang Weiping’s detention came six days after he had publicly detailed incidents of torture that he experienced during the 10 days he previously spent under “residential surveillance in a designated location” in January 2020. The fact that Chang has previously been subjected to torture while in detention has significantly increased my concern for his current and future wellbeing.
I call on you to release Chang Weiping immediately and unconditionally, unless there is sufficient credible and admissible evidence that he has committed an internationally recognized offense and is granted a fair trial in line with international standards; and pending his release, ensure that Chang Weiping has regular, unrestricted access to family and lawyers of his choice and is not subjected to torture and other ill-treatment;
Yours sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES