MCLC: Xu Zhiyong sentence "shameful"

[Denton, Kirk]

MCLC LIST
From: pjmooney <pjmooney at me.com>
Subject: Xu Zhiyong sentence "shameful"
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AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

PRESS RELEASE
26 January 2014

China: Xu Zhiyong four year jail sentence “shameful”

The jailing of prominent Chinese legal scholar and activist Xu Zhiyong is
a travesty and he shouldbe released immediately, said Amnesty
International.

A court in Beijing sentenced Xu Zhiyong to four years in prison on Sunday
for “gathering a crowd to disturb order in a public place.”

Roseann Rife, East Asia Research Director at Amnesty International,
commented:

“Thisis a shameful but sadly predictable verdict. The Chinese authorities
have once again opted for the rule of fear over the rule of law.

 
“At best the injustice of prosecuting Xu Zhiyong is hypocrisy of the
highest order. On the surface his callsto expose corruption coincide with
President Xi Jinping’s own much heralded clampdown.

 
“But the message sent from the courtroom today runs fardeeper: In Xi
Jinping ’s China the Communist Party maintainsa monopoly on the political
process and anyone that speaks out will be severely dealt with.

 
“The persecution of those associated with the New CitizensMovement
demonstrates how fearful the Chinese leadership are of public calls for
change.

 
“Xu Zhiyong’s calls for justice and accountability areentirely legitimate.
He is a prisoner ofconscience and he should be released immediately and
unconditionally.”

Background

Last week a further two activistsstood trial in Beijing for their
activities linked to the New Citizens Movement; with anotherfour are due
to be tried on Monday.

Xu Zhiyong has described the “New Citizens’ Movement” as a peaceful
cultural, social and political campaign.

He wrote an article in May 2012, titled ChinaNeeds a New Citizens’
Movement, which iscredited with spurring a loose network of activists who
aim to promote government transparency and expose corruption.

Suggested activities for “New Citizens” include; practicing “New Citizen
Responsibility” by rejecting corruption and by doing good for society;
participating in civic life by holding meetings to discuss the political
situation; helping the weak; and uniting to share and coordinate work.

ENDS

For further information or to arrange an interview with Amnesty
International’s experts on China, please contact:

Tom Mackey
East Asia Press Officer
+852 6106 4606 (Hong Kong)
@amnestypress

--Working to protect human rights worldwide
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