On the eve of Barack Obama’s first state visit to the People´s Republic of China, PEN American Center has sent a letter urging the president to intervene on behalf of the more than 40 writers imprisoned in that country because of their work.

Noting the global importance of the visit and the complexity of the issues confronting both nations, PEN’s letter laments the fact that "in the People´s Republic of China, some of those most engaged in envisioning China’s future, and most committed to engaging their fellow citizens in questions that matter, are currently in prison."

The letter cites in particular the cases of renowned activist writer Liu Xiaobo and four other jailed writers who belong to the Independent Chinese PEN Center (ICPC) – two of whom are reportedly gravely ill – and attaches a list of a total of 43 writers currently behind bars in the People´s Republic of China.

Advocacy not counterproductive
A former president and board member of ICPC, Liu Xiaobo is one of the main organizers of Charter 08, an open letter calling for political and human rights reforms that has been signed by more than 10,000 citizens throughout the People´s Republic of China. Mr. Liu was detained on December 8, 2008, on the eve of the document’s publication. He has since been charged with "inciting subversion of state power" and could face up to 15 years in prison.

PEN urges President Obama not to be persuaded "by those who would argue that pressing for the release of writers is somehow counterproductive or inappropriate to the occasion," insisting instead that his personal intervention "will give hope and strength not only to our PEN colleagues and other writers and journalists in prison in the People´s Republic of China, but to all who share our belief that freedom of expression is both a sign of strength and a human right that cannot be compromised."

Jailed Tibetan filmmaker appeals for help
“My trial has started. There is no good news I can share with you. It is unclear what the sentence will be.” So says Tibetan filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen in a letter he recently wrote to his family (in Chinese) from his prison cell in the western city of Xining. A cousin who is a refugee in Switzerland has confirmed its authenticity. Passages have been erased in the accompanying copy because they refer to family matters.
 
“At a time when US President Barack Obama is about to visit the People´s Republic of China, we appeal to the Chinese authorities for a goodwill gesture regarding Dhondup Wangchen, who has been held since March 2008 and whose ill health is not compatible with prolonged detention,” Reporters Without Borders said.
 
“Given that his only crime was to interview Tibetans for a documentary, his release should be approved without delay,” the press freedom organisation added. “A prison sentence would an insult to the spirit of openness that was affirmed during the Beijing Olympic Games.”
 
Tortured in prison 
Dhondup’s wife, Lhamo Tso, told Reporters Without Borders: “My husband has committed no crime. President Obama is regarded as a champion of peace. I hope that he will intercede on behalf of prisoners, including my husband.” She is appealing to the international press to support Dhondup.
 
In his letter, Dhondup voices concern about his wife and four children, who sought refuge in India after he began filming interviews in Tibet.
 
Dhondup’s Chinese lawyer, Li Dunyong, was prevented from representing him during a hearing in July and since then he has been forced to drop the case. During one of their few meetings, Dhondup told Li that he had been tortured and that he had hepatitis B.
 
The interviews that Dhondup filmed in Tibet were used for a documentary that was screened during the Beijing Olympics.

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