Paris, 23 January 2008
For immediate release

In the letter, the Paris-based WAN and the WEF said China should immediately release Mr Hu, and all other jailed Chinese journalists, under reforms promised in its successful bid for the 2000 Summer Olympic Games.

Mr Hu, a journalist, blogger and human rights activist, has been detained since 27 December, reportedly charged with "subverting state authority." Mr Hu participated in a European parliamentary hearing in Brussels via webcam on 26 November 2007 on the human rights situation in China, and said: "It is very serious that the official promises are not being kept before the Games."

About 20 police officers were involved in the arrest, some remaining behind after he was taken away. Police disconnected the family’s internet and telephone service, possibly to prevent them from telling supporters about the arrest.

In its letter to Premier Wen, WAN and WEF cited China’s "Beijing Olympic Action Plan", which pledges the country to "follow international standards and criteria." The letter said China has failed to live up to that promise by continuing to jail journalists. According to reports, at least 30 journalists and 50 cyber-dissidents are currently held in Chinese prisons.

Read the full letter at http://www.wan-press.org/article162...

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.