Expression = prison: Hu Jia
4 April 2008, 09:35AM
Hu Jia at home after being held in incommunicado
Breaking news: Overnight environmentalist, human rights activist, and writer of HIV/AIDS websites Hu Jia was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison for peacefully expressing his opinion. He blogged, made documentaries and made statements like: "We all live in one world,” and we all long for “one dream.” We hope that some day the Chinese people and the peoples of all countries will be the same and can enjoy the same human rights, freedom, democracy, peace, and all those things that have timeless value all over the world." His crime - "inciting subversion of state power".
Hu Jia has a wife, Zeng Jinyan - last November the 34 year old couple had a daughter. The family has been subject to house arrest, surveillance and intimidation for many months.
Hu Jia was detained on 27 December 2007 and whilst awaiting trial, he was denied access to his lawyers, his family and necessary medical treatment. Zeng Jinyan and the couple's new-born daughter are still under house arrest, and have had their phone line and internet connection cut.
Hu Jia has been blogging and contributing articles to HIV/AIDS websites, now blocked by China's firewall. Last November Hu Jia took part in an internet conference with the European Union Human Rights Council in Brussels. He is a supporter of democracy and human rights and suggests that "If there is no human dignity or human rights, then there can be no real Olympics. For the sake of China and for the sake of the Olympics, defend human rights". He is not advocating violence or any uprising, simply expressing the same views as millions around the world.
The charges against Hu Jia and others in recent months are indicative of China's recent crackdowns and complete lack of transparency. Vague terminology, closed trials, denied access to lawyers are all common place for individuals in China who attempt to stand up for human rights.
In February this year, China's foreign minister, Yang Jiechi announced, "No one will get arrested because he said that human rights are more important than the Olympics. This is impossible." Tell that to Hu Jia and his family.
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Comments are submitted by members of the public and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of Amnesty International Australia. If you find a comment objectionable please contact the web editor.
tracey
15 April 2008, 11:38PM
I wish for a better world in which every person is able to speak their opinion without fear - it is something all nations need to be mindful of.
Sophie Peer
7 April 2008, 09:02AM
Dear ‘Great’ Hu Jia’s alleged ‘crime’ was inciting subversion. If China would cease charging people under vaguely worded crimes without any transparency to their court system - I may be able to see who really is a criminal and who is not. If there were any Western involvement in Hu Jia’s case, that would have been great, he may have been able to have access to his lawyer, a fair trial and medical treatment in detention.
All he has done is use the internet to express his opinion - just as you and i are doing. Unfortunately for him his opinion on HIV/AIDS, the environment and human rights differ from his Government’s opinion of these issues.
Colin Tran
5 April 2008, 01:51PM
Mr.Hu Jia is the REAL ATHLETES of Beijing 2008 OLYMPICS GAMES.
Great
5 April 2008, 06:03AM
Criminals like Hu Jia should be arrested and jailed, these idiots are funded by western governments (esp USA), they use ‘human rights’ as a tool to overrun our country.
Glenda Jones
4 April 2008, 04:10PM
I was very disheartened to see Hu Jia has been sent to prison. Free speech is the most basic human right that should be available for all of us. Shame, China, shame. You do not deserve the Olympic Games.
mary paget-cooke
4 April 2008, 03:06PM
I am alarmed to hear that Hu Jia has been sentenced to imprisonment. His protests have been valid and should be listened to by the authorities.
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