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32 BANGLADESH Facing charges *Jahangir Alam AKASH: Reporter for the daily Dainik Sangbad. Reportedly taken from his home on 23 October 2007 in the northwestern City of Rajshahi, by members a government task force and arrested under the Emergency Power Rules of 2007. He was jailed on extortion charges but it is thought that his arrest could be linked to his writings. Akash has been harassed on many occasions because of his investigative reporting. He was reportedly transferred to a prison hospital a few days after his arrest because of injuries he sustained from being beaten in custody. He was released on bail in late November 2007, but he still faces charges and has been told that his case will be transferred to a special court operating under the emergency declaration for reasons that remain unclear. He is said to still require medical treatment for his injuries and there are serious concerns about his health. WiPC seeking further details. Attacked *Kamrul Hassan KHAN, Kazi Saifuddin AVI, Rashed ALI, Nesar AHMED, Sabbir MAHMUD: Correspondent for the Daily Star newspaper, reporter for Bhorer Kagoj, reporter for Bhorer Kagoj, reporter for Amar Desh and reporter for the daily Korotoa respectively. Reportedly assaulted by security forces on 23 August 2007 while the men were trying to cover events surrounding a curfew imposed in the capital Dhaka and five other cities in response to growing unrest across the country. Many other journalists were also beaten by the police. On trial, free on bail Salah Uddin Shoaib CHOUDHURY: Editor of the tabloid weekly Blitz. Arrested on 29 November 2003 by security personnel at Zia International Airport in Dhaka. He was reportedly on his way to Israel to participate in a conference with the Hebrew Writers Association when he was arrested. Choudhury is believed to have been going to address a writers’ symposium in Tel Aviv entitled Bridges Through Culture, and was scheduled to speak about the role of the media in establishing peace. Choudhury is known for his attempts to improve relations between Muslim countries and Israel, and has written articles against anti-Israeli attitudes in Muslim countries and about the rise of al-Qaeda in Bangladesh, which had reportedly sparked debate in the Bangladeshi press and government prior to his arrest. Choudhury was accused of spying for Israel, and was repeatedly denied a bail hearing. He was released on bail on 2 May 2005 following appeals by PEN USA. His trial started on 5 April 2006, and is ongiong as of 31 December 2007. Choudhury continues as editor of Blitz and remains under pressure from the government and extremist groups for his critical writings. Honorary member of: USA PEN and English PEN. (Update #4 to RAN 23/04, 26 March 07). Case closed Tasneem KHALIL: Investigative journalist for the Dhaka-based Daily Star and Human Rights Watch consultant. Reportedly detained by security forces on 11 May 2007 on unknown charges. Case closed, presumed freed. Atiqullah Khan MASUD: Publisher and editor of the daily Janakantha. Reportedly arrested at his home on 7 March 2007 by the army in Dhaka. Reportedly accused of ‘corruption’, ‘criminal activities’ and ‘tarnishing the country’s image abroad’. Detained under a one-month detention order under the Special Powers Act of 1974, and denied an application for bail. Case closed, presumed freed. CAMBODIA Attacked *Phon PHAT: Reporter with Khmer-language newspaper Chbas Ka. His home was reportedly targeted in two arson attacks on 10 August 2007 and 17 August 2007. Prior to the attacks, Phat reportedly received anonymous phone calls warning him that he would get some ‘presents’. The attacks are thought to be linked to Phat’s reports on illegal logging, which implicated a local businessman. Case closed Teang NARITH: Lecturer in Law and Politics at the Sihanouk Raj Buddhist University in Phnom Penh. Teang Narith was dismissed from his post of lecturer on 22 August 2006 and was reportedly arrested on 4 September 2006. He was charged under the UNTAC Penal code the next day with the criminal offence of disinformation. The charges appear to have been based on Teang Narith’s unpublished critical writings on Cambodia’s current leadership. Thought to have been since released, case closed. CHINA Main cases CHEN Shuqing D.o.b.: 26 September 1964. Profession: Dissident writer and leading member of Zhejiang Branch of the banned Chinese Democratic Party (CDP). Date of arrest: 14 September 2006. Sentence: 4 years in prison. Expires: 13 September 2010. Details of arrest: He went voluntarily to the Daguan Police Station, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, after being summoned the previous day. On 17 October 2006 he was formally charged with inciting subversion for his critical articles published on various overseas Chinese websites such as Boxun, Minzhu Luntan, Dajiyuan, Yi Bao, Guancha, and Xin Shiji. Details of trial: Sentenced to four years in prison on charges of ‘inciting subversion of state power’ on 14 August 2007 by the Intermediate People’s Court of Hangzou City. The conviction is reportedly based on sentences quoted from various articles published and posted on the banned magazine of the Chinese Democratic Party, and overseas Chinese websites including Boxun, Epoch Times, China Affairs Forum, China E Weekly and Duowei News. His appeal was rejected by the Zhejiang High People’s Court on 29 October 2007. Place of detention: Detention Center of Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province. Previous political imprisonment/problems: Previously detained in 1999 for 4 months for his role in the setting up the banned Chinese Democratic Party. After his release, he trained to become a lawyer, but in 2005, after passing his exams, he was refused a lawyer’s licence by the Justice Bureau of Zhejiang Province, who alleged his articles published online had violated China’s Constitution. Chen challenged this ruling in court, but lost the case in both the lower and the appeal courts. He has since been subject to police harassment. CHING Cheong D.O.B: 3 December 1949 Profession: Hong Kong-based correspondent for Singapore’s The Straits Times. Date of arrest: 22 April 2005. Sentence: 5 years imprisonment. Expires: 4 August 2010. Details of arrest: Reportedly detained in Guangzhou, southern China, then trans-
ferred to Beijing where he was held under a form of detention known as ‘residence under surveillance’ until his formal arrest on charges of espionage on 5 August 2005. Sources familiar with the case claim that Ching Cheong had been sent to Guangzhou to obtain a manuscript of secret interviews with the late Zhao Ziyang, former Premier and Secretary- General of the Communist Party, who opposed the government clampdown on the Tianmen Square protestors in 1989, which led to his downfall. It has been reported that the publication of the interviews would be extremely damaging to the Communist regime in China. Ching was formally charged on 5 August 2005 for allegedly selling economic, political and military information to Taiwanese agents between 2000 and 2005. Place of detention: Reported to have been held incommunicado in Beijing since his detention. Details of trial: Convicted of espionage and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment and one-year’s deprivation of his political rights on 31 August 2006. His sentence was upheld on appeal on 24 November 2006. Honorary member: Independent Chinese PEN. GUO Qizhen D.O.B: 10 May 1958. Profession: Cyber-dissident. Date of arrest: 12 May 2006 Sentence: 4 years in prison Expires: 11 May 2010 Details of arrest: Reportedly arrested at his home on 12 May 2006 and charged with ‘inciting subversion of state power’ on 6 June 2006. His arrest appears to be linked to his participation in a rotating hunger strike, which has been held by pro-democracy activists since 4 February 2006 to protest against human rights violations in China. The charges are based on his 34 articles attacking at the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party and government that were published on overseas websites. Details of trial: Sentenced to 4 years imprisonment, and three years’ deprivation of political rights, for ‘inciting subversion’ on 17 October 2006. Place of detention: No.4 Prison in Shijiazhuang, the capital City of Hebei Province, Northern China. Treatment in prison: Denied full access to family visits, and feared to be ill-treated. Health concerns: There are reports that he has suffered a broken leg and is in a fragile psychological state. His health has reportedly deteriorated in prison due to the lack of adequate health care. On 17 April 2007, he was transferred to No.4 Prison in Shijiazhuang, where he was denied family visits until 18 June 2007, when his wife was able to see him. At this visit, his wife reported that he had sustained serious bruising, allegedly as a result of beatings by fellow inmates that were orchestrated by prison guards. Honorary member: Independent Chinese PEN HADA D.O.B: 13 February 1955 Profession: Owner of the Mongolian Academic bookstore and founder and editor-in-chief of The Voice of Southern Mongolia Date of Arrest: 10 December 1995 Sentence: 15 years in prison Expires: 9 December 2010 Details of Arrest: Arrested for founding the Southern Mongolian Democracy Alliance and publishing the underground journal, The Voice of Southern Mongolia. Details of trial: Sentenced to 15 years in prison and 4 years deprivation of political rights on charges of “inciting separatism and espionage” on 6 December 1996. Place of Detention: No.4 Prison, Chi Feng City, Inner Mongolia. Treatment in Prison: Reportedly subject to ill treatment in detention. Health Concerns: Said to be suffering from a stomach ulcer and coronary heart disease, and his health is said to have deteriorated significantly in prison. Honorary member: PEN Canada, Independent Chinese PEN. *HU Jia Profession: Leading activist and dissident writer Date of arrest: 27 December 2007. Details of arrest: Leading Beijing-based human rights activist and freelance reporter Hu Jia was arrested from his home by the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau on 27 December 2007 on “suspicion of incitement to subvert state power”. Although no official reason has been given for his arrest, it is thought he may be charged for his online reporting on human rights issues. Place of detention: Held incommunicado at the Beijing Municipal Detention Centre. Health concerns: Hu Jia suffers from long-term health problems including cirrhosis of the liver, and there are fears that his condition could seriously deteriorate in prison. Other information: Hu Jia’s family have also been subjected to harassment and severe restrictions of movement since his arrest, and there are serious concerns for his wife Zeng Jingyan, who had a one-month-old baby at the time of Hu’s arrest and is herself under effective house arrest. Previous political imprisonment/problems: Hu and his wife Zeng Jinyan were placed under residential surveillance on 18 May 2007, as they were about to set off on a tour of Europe to promote their documentary film “Prisoners of Freedom City”. Hu is known for his activities on evironmental and AIDS issues, and had been briefly detained in February 2006. HE Depu D.o.b: 28 October 1956 Profession: Dissident activist/writer. Date of arrest: 4 November 2002 Sentence: Eight years in prison. Expires: 24 January 2011 Details of arrest: Taken from his home by the police for questioning and held incommunicado in a form of ‘residence under surveillance’ until formally detained on 27 January 2003. He was a signatory of the open letter of 20 November 2002 calling for political reform (see JIANG Lijun, and ZHAO Changqing below). Details of trial: Tried on 14 October 2003 in a two-hour trial on charges of “inciting subversion” for collaborating with the banned Chinese Democratic Party (CDP) and publishing essays on the Internet. Sentenced on 6 November 2003 to eight years in prison and two-year deprivation of political rights. On 20 December 2003 Beijing’s Court No.1 dismissed He Depu’s application for an appeal. Health concerns: Said to be in very poor health, to have lost a great deal of weight, a number of teeth, and to be suffering from a liver complaint. In need of vitamins and medication. Treatment in prison: Ill-treated in prison and denied access to family visits. Reportedly beaten by a fellow prisoner in April 2007, possibly orchestrated by the prison guards. Professional details: Took part in the Democracy Wall Movement in 1979 and founded the magazine Beijing Youth which was subsequently banned. Helped launch the now-banned China Democracy Party (CDP). Previous political imprisonment/problems: Lost his job with the Social Sciences Academy after standing as a candidate in the local election in 1990. Briefly detained several times for his political activities. Honorary member of: Suisse Romande, Independent Chinese PEN. HU Shigen D.O.B: November 1954. Profession: University lecturer, political activist and dissident writer. Date of arrest: 27 September 1992. Sentence: 20 years in prison and a subsequent five-year deprivation of political rights. Hu Shigen’s sentence was reduced by two years in August 2007. Expires: 26 October 2009. Details of arrest: Reportedly detained in Beijing on 27 May 1992 and formally charged on 27 September 1992 with ‘counter-revolutionary crimes’. He was amongst dozens of China Freedom and Democracy Party (CFDP) and China Free 33
Page 1 and 2: INTERNATIONAL PEN Writers in Prison
Page 3 and 4: Contents List of cases by country 4
Page 5 and 6: CHAD On Trial *Nadjikimo BENOUDJITA
Page 7 and 8: Hadas Eritrea, has been published.
Page 9 and 10: the country since their release. Ho
Page 11 and 12: sionally to several magazines. He a
Page 13 and 14: ment was ruled, is reportedly appea
Page 15 and 16: year, on 8 March, Diop and another
Page 17 and 18: elongings were taken by his attacke
Page 19 and 20: of 29 individuals allegedly targete
Page 21 and 22: magazine, and an hour later a bouqu
Page 23 and 24: Juan Carlos HERRERA ACOSTA: journal
Page 25 and 26: problems in Matanzas. Prior to his
Page 27 and 28: while driving his motorcycle in Uru
Page 29 and 30: taken away by the police after the
Page 31: US$320,000 fine on “aggravated de
Page 35 and 36: On 3 February 2005 Li was initially
Page 37 and 38: line between 2000 and 2002. Details
Page 39 and 40: ZHANG Jianhong (aka Li Hong) D.o.b.
Page 41 and 42: Topa Re-education Through Labour Ca
Page 43 and 44: police station and police claimed t
Page 45 and 46: Satta Daily. Reporteldy found dead
Page 47 and 48: City to receive treatment for heart
Page 49 and 50: AZERBAIJAN Main Cases Eynulla FATUL
Page 51 and 52: eport on the human-rights situation
Page 53 and 54: nary statement as unprofessional an
Page 55 and 56: produces Chugunka, a publication fr
Page 57 and 58: Basque Country since 1968. He regul
Page 59 and 60: number of others, since released, o
Page 61 and 62: appeal. He is currently free on app
Page 63 and 64: publishing". Both cases will be hel
Page 65 and 66: memory of Atatürk¨. Yetisgen is c
Page 67 and 68: Ibrahim YILDIZ: journalists for Cum
Page 69 and 70: went on to work for a number of ind
Page 71 and 72: that are likely to disturb public o
Page 73 and 74: *Ejlal QAVAMI Profession: Journalis
Page 75 and 76: Brief Detention/Facing charges *Soh
Page 77 and 78: Sentenced, suspended Driss KSIKES a
Page 79 and 80: Al-Khaiwani has been under threat s
Page 81: 103. Hamid Himid . . . . . . . . .

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