Paris, 14 January 2008
For immediate release
China Neglects Olympic Obligations
The World Association of Newspapers and World Editors Forum have asked China to honour its international obligations and release all jailed journalists before the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
In a letter to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao asking for the immediate release of a journalist who has spent 12 years in prison, the Paris-based WAN and WEF referred to China’s promise to "follow international standards" in its successful bid to host the Games.
"In accordance with this pledge and numerous international conventions, declarations and agreements - including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - we call upon the Chinese authorities to free all jailed journalists ahead of the Olympics Games," the letter said.
At least 30 journalists and 50 cyber-dissidents are currently held in Chinese prisons. Among them is Fan Yingshang, who was sentenced on 31 January 1996 to 13 years in prison for publishing and distributing illegal “reactionary” publications. The charges related to the publication of more than 60,000 copies of the magazine Remen Huati (Popular Topics).
The letter to Mr Wen called for the release of Mr Fan, and all other imprisoned journalists, ahead of the 12th anniversary of his sentencing this month.
The full letter to Premier Wen can be read at http://www.wan-press.org/article160...
For more on WAN’s campaign to free imprisoned Chinese journalists ahead of the Olympics, go to: http://www.wan-press.org/china/home.php.
The Paris-based WAN, the global organisation for the newspaper industry, defends and promotes press freedom and the professional and business interests of newspapers world-wide. Representing 18,000 newspapers, its membership includes 77 national newspaper associations, newspaper companies and individual newspaper executives in 102 countries, 12 news agencies and 11 regional and world-wide press groups.
Inquiries to: Larry Kilman, Director of Communications, WAN, 7 rue Geoffroy St Hilaire, 75005 Paris France. Tel: +33 1 47 42 85 00. Fax: +33 1 47 42 49 48. Mobile: +33 6 10 28 97 36. E-mail: lkilman@wan.asso.fr |
