The Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) is deeply alarmed at government "threats" to introduce legislation to make individuals and organisations ...   more »

May 3, 2005

TO:  His Excellency Hu Jintao
President, People's Republic of China
C/o Embassy of the People's Republic of China
2300 Connecticut Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20008

Via facsimile: (202) 588-0032

 

Your Excellency:

The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply troubled by the ongoing harassment of acclaimed poet and freelance radio journalist Liu Hongbin. Liu, who lives in exile in the United Kingdom, has been banned from returning to China to visit his mother, who has fallen seriously ill.

On an October 2004 visit, Liu and his 3-year-old daughter were detained upon arrival in Beijing. He and his daughter were held in a detention center for three hours before being transferred to a hotel, where they were held incommunicado overnight before being allowed to continue on their journey to visit his mother in the city of Qingdao. Liu's daughter was distraught and suffered insect bites on her face and legs.

Liu, who has been in exile since 1989, recently learned that a ban on his return to China was renewed on March 15, 2005. He is therefore barred from again visiting his mother, who has been hospitalized.

Liu's writings became well known during the pro-democracy demonstrations at Tiananmen Square. As well as being a prominent poet and literary figure, Liu has worked as a journalist for the Chinese service of Radio France International since 2000. He has also made freelance contributions to independent magazines in Hong Kong, Taiwan and the United States.

In articles and in interviews that have appeared in the Western media, Liu has spoken out for democratic reform in China. His criticisms and his work as a journalist have contributed to his ongoing harassment at the hands of officials.

As an independent organization of journalists dedicated to defending our colleagues worldwide, CPJ appeals for the ban on Liu's return to China to be revoked and for an end to his harassment.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. We await your response.

Sincerely,

Ann Cooper
Executive Director
[CPJ]

The Press Council again called for the government to revise the controversial draft of the new Criminal Code, which allows for the criminal prosecution of journalists who violate the law in the course of their jobs.[Jakarta Post ]

The Swedish government on Tuesday called for the release of a Swedish journalist jailed in Eritrea for four years as Sweden marked the 15th annual World Press Freedom Day.

"Dialogue is a prerequisite for democracy, to exchange views with each other. Dawit Isaak knows this, and that is why he is in jail," Development Aid Minister Carin Jaemtin told a crowd holding a 24-hour vigil for Isaak in central Stockholm, news agency TT reported.

Isaak, who holds both Swedish and Eritrean citizenship, was jailed in September 2001 after calling for democracy and press freedom in Eritrea.

Eritrean police jailed him, along with 11 other prominent journalists, accusing him of violating national security laws for his criticism of the Asmara regime.
[Sudan Tribune ]

 

Journalists in Yemen have rejected a new draft of the press and publications law put forward by the Ministry of Information (MoI), saying it is even more restrictive than the existing bill which has been in force since 1990. [Reuters AlertNet]

 

The Middle East, Africa and Asia are the most dangerous places to work if you are a journalist, according to a new report.

Reporters Without Borders (RWB) said on Tuesday that press freedom "remains just a frustrated hope in Africa", and "informing the public in North Africa, the Middle East and Iran is a very risky business".

The Paris-based organisation also said that many Asian journalists have been reduced to "propaganda".

In a separate report, the Brussels-based International Federation of Journalists (IJF) said the "war on terrorism amounts to a devastating challenge to the global culture of human rights and civil liberties".

The reports coincided with World Press Freedom day which was marked by journalists around the world by a series of protests and sit-ins.

In the Middle East, journalists work in fear of government repression, said RWB.

Five countries in the region were particularly criticised for cracking down on the press - Tunisia, Libya, Syria, Iran and Saudi Arabia.[Aljazeera.net ]

Just as Filipino journalists marked World Press Freedom Day on Tuesday, another broadcast journalist was shot and seriously wounded by gunmen in Barangay Santa Felomina, Dipolog City early Wednesday.

Police reports said newsman Cline Cantoneros, a blocktimer at DXAA radio, was shot by three motorcycle-riding assailants wielding .45 caliber pistols at around 12:30 a.m.

The victim has just stepped out of the radio station and was about to go home when attacked.

Cantoneros was shot seven times and is currently in critical condition in a hospital.[ABS CBN News]

Tunisia's strict censorship policy is so tough that even writing about onion prices can land a reporter in trouble, a ...   more »

The journalists observed "World Press Freedom Day" by taking out peaceful processions to press their demand of implementation of 7th ...   more »

Iraq is now the most-deadly war for journalists since the Vietnam conflict ended 30 years ago, the media watchdog group Reporters Without Borders said Tuesday on the 15th commemoration of World Press Freedom Day.

Iraq was singled out as "world's largest minefield" for journalists, where 19 journalists were killed last year and more than 15 were reported kidnapped. In all, 56 journalists have been killed since fighting began two years ago, seven less than the 63 killed during the two-decadelong U.S. involvement in Vietnam.[Washington Times ]

About 1,500 reporters marched through Nepal's capital Tuesday to mark World Press Freedom day and demand an immediate end to government censorship and the release of colleagues detained since King Gyanendra seized power in February. [Guardian Unlimited]