AAAS Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law Program

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AAAS Human Rights Action Network

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FACTS OF THE CASE:

Human rights groups and the media are reporting that China has detained another academic, Dr. Li Shaomin, a business professor who teaches at the City University of Hong Kong. Dr. Li was reportedly detained on 25 February 2001 after he crossed the border into mainland China to visit a friend. His wife, Liu Yingli, reported her husband's disappearance to the police when his friend called and said that Dr. Li had never arrived. She learned the next day from the American Embassy that Dr. Li was not missing, but had been detained by the Chinese security forces. Chinese authorities have not indicated why he was detained or where he is being held.

Dr. Li is a naturalized U.S. citizen. He received his Ph.D. in sociology from Princeton University in 1988 and has also taught at Beijing University. Dr. Li has conducted research on China's economic development and "e-commerce" in China and has written extensively on the impact of privatization and market reforms on the performance of foreign enterprises conducting business in China. Dr. Li's wife has stated that she does not know why he would have been detained and that he has done nothing wrong. Dr. Li has traveled frequently to mainland China and did not encounter any incidents with Chinese authorities previous to this detention. Dr. Li's father, Li Honglin, was a prominent liberal scholar who was detained for ten months in 1989 after signing a petition that supported the pro-democracy protesters of Tiananmen Square. There is no clear indication that Dr. Li's arrest was connected to his father's activities.

This arrest comes one week after the detention of Dr. Gao Zhen, (See AAASHRAN case CH0103.Gao ) an American University researcher who was arrested with her husband and son on 11 February 2001 and who is reportedly being held in connection with espionage charges. Her husband was released after 26 days of incommunicado detention and reunited with his son, who, according to Chinese authorities, was placed in a kindergarten while his parents' were detained. Dr. Gao's husband has repeatedly denied that his wife was involved in any espionage activities. Dr. Gao earned her Ph.D. in sociology and conducts research on gender studies in China and Taiwan. Dr. Gao is a faculty fellow at American University in Washington, DC.

Liu Yingli reported that she has followed the case of Dr. Gao. She stated, "It's scary. Who else would want to go to that part of the world? You go there, you disappear."

Human rights organizations and China experts are unsure why these detentions are occurring at this time. China has entered a bid to host the 2008 Olympic games and several human rights organizations and the U.S. Congress have protested China's Olympic bid on grounds that its has a poor human rights record.

(Sources of information for this case include: Human Rights Watch, Human Rights in China, and the Associated Press)

RELEVANT HUMAN RIGHTS STANDARDS

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

• Article 9(2): Anyone who is arrested shall be informed, at the time of arrest, of the reasons for his [or her] arrest and shall be promptly informed of any charges against him [or her].
• Article 10: All persons deprived of their liberty shall be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person.
• Article 14(1): All persons shall be equal before the courts and tribunals. In the determination of any criminal charge against him [or her], or of his [or her] rights and obligations in a suit at law, everyone shall be entitled to a fair and public hearing by a competent, independent and impartial tribunal established by law.
• Article 19(1): Everyone shall have the right to hold opinions without interference.

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

• Article 12: (1): The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. (2): The steps to be taken by the States Parties to the present Covenant to achieve the full realization of this right shall include those necessary for: (c) The prevention, treatment and control of epidemic, endemic, occupational and other diseases; (d) The creation of conditions which would assure to all medical service and medical attention in the event of sickness.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

• Article 09: No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Please send telegrams, faxes, airmail letters or emails: Click here to download a sample letter of appeal

• Requesting that the charges against Dr. Li Shaomin be promptly clarified, and if there is no legal basis for his arrest, that he be immediately and unconditionally released;
• Calling on the authorities to grant Dr. Li Shaomin immediate access to his family and to legal representation; and
• Requesting that his safety be assured during his detention.

APPEAL AND INQUIRY MESSAGES SHOULD BE SENT TO:

His Excellency Zhu Rongji
Premier of the People's Republic of China
Guowuyuan
9 Xihuangchenggenbeijie
Beijingshi 100032
People's Republic of China
Fax: 011 8610 6 520 5316 or 011 8610 6 467 7046

COPIES SENT TO:

His Excellency Yang Jiechi
Ambassador of the People's Republic of China
Embassy of the People's Republic of China
2300 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Fax: 202 588-0032

Please send copies of your appeals, and any responses you may receive, or direct any questions you may have to Victoria Baxter, AAAS Science and Human Rights Program, 1200 New York Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20005; tel. 202-326-6796; email vbaxter@aaas.org; or fax 202-289-4950.

The keys to effective appeals re to be courteous and respectful, accurate and precise, impartial in approach, and as specific as possible regarding the alleged violation and the international human rights standards and instruments that apply to the situation. Reference to your scientific organization and professional affiliation is always helpful.

To ensure that appeals are current and credible, please do not continue to write appeals on this case after 90 days from the date of the posting unless an update has been issued.

To verify the contents of this alert and/or the electronic signature, please download the signed file for this alert along with the Program's PGP Public Key.

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