Yang Xiaoqing

CHINA: Journalist Yang Xiaoqing sentenced to one year in prison for his critical writings; health concerns. (20 June 2006)

The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN protests the one-year prison sentence handed down to journalist Yang Xiaoqing on 15 June 2006 on extortion charges for his reporting on official corruption. International PEN considers journalist Yang Xiaoqing to be detained in violation of Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which China became a signatory in 1998, and calls for his immediate and unconditional release.

Yang Xiaoqing, a reporter with the Zhongguo Chanjing Xinwenbao (China Industrial Economy News), was arrested by the Public Security Bureau of Longhui County, Hunan Province on 22 January 2006 after investigating and reporting the alleged corruption of Longhui County officials. According to Yang's wife Gong Jie, Yang was threatened and intimidated by local officials prior to his arrest, and had been in hiding for several months.

Yang was accused of posting defamatory articles on the Internet after failing to extort up to 800,000 Yuan (US$100,000) from Longhui County officials. His detention is thought to be linked to two articles written in May 2005 alleging corruption in the sale of a state-owned company by county officials. According to his lawyer, the authorities have failed to produce any evidence to support the charges against him.

Yang Xiaoqing is held at the Longhui County Detention Centre, Hunan Province, where his health is said to have deteriorated significantly since his detention. He is said to have been diagnosed with Hepatitis B, and there are also reports that he is denied treatment for an undiagnosed growth.

Please send appeals:
- protesting the detention of journalist Yang Xiaoqing, and calling for his immediate and unconditional release in accordance with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which China became a signatory in 1998;
- expressing serious concerns about his health, and urging that while detained his basic rights are respected and that he is granted full access to his family and all necessary medical care.

Appeals to:
His Excellency Hu Jintao
President of the People's Republic of China
State Council
Beijing 100032
The People’s Republic of China

Procurator General Mr. Jia Chunwang
Supreme People's Procuratorate
Beiheyan Street 147
100726 Beijing
The People’s Republic of China