• Urgent Action

Urgent Action: Peaceful Protesters Targeted in Inner Mongolia (China: UA 140.20)

September 21, 2020

At least 23 individuals have reportedly been arrested for “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” for participating in, or sharing information about, peaceful protests against a recent “bilingual education policy” in northern China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. On 2 September 2020, police in the Horqin District of Tongliao City published the names of 129 individuals suspected of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble”. The authorities have yet to release information about the whereabouts of the arrested individuals. No person should be arrested solely for exercising rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.

TAKE ACTION:
  1. 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.
  2. Click here to let us know the actions you took on Urgent Action 140.20. 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 Heng Xiaofan Public Security Department of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region No. 15, Hailaerdong Lu, Xincheng Qu, Huhhot 010020, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region 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] [email protected] Salutation: Dear Ambassador
SAMPLE LETTER Dear Director Heng, I am writing to express my concern about the ongoing crackdown against peaceful protesters in Inner Mongolia that began in early September 2020. According to media reports, at least 23 individuals, including pregnant women and middle school students, have been arrested so far for “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” after participating in – or sharing information about – peaceful protests against the recent “bilingual education policy”. On 2 September 2020, the Horqin District Branch of the Tongliao City Public Security Bureau released the names and photos of 129 individuals wanted for “picking quarrels and provoking trouble”. No one should be arrested or prosecuted for taking part in a peaceful protest or sharing information about a protest. Such measures violate the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly under international human rights law and standards. Furthermore, I find it extremely distressing that no information about the whereabouts of the arrested individuals has yet been made public. I am deeply concerned about their wellbeing and fear that they are at risk of torture and other ill-treatment. I therefore call on you to release peaceful protesters immediately and unconditionally unless there is sufficient credible and admissible evidence that they have committed an internationally recognized offense and are granted a fair trial in line with international standards;  and refrain from further arrest and prosecutions of individuals who have simply exercised their right to peaceful assembly. Yours sincerely, [YOUR NAME] ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
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