By Ariel Lin
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia
BEIJING, China – A Chinese court delayed a trial of a rights activist in the nation’s southwest. Huang Qi often openly criticized the Communist Party’s restrictions on political rights. He was charged with “illegal possession of state secrets” after he gave help to parents of children killed in Sichuan earthquake. According to Huang’s wife, Zeng Lin, the Sichuan authorities detained Huang last June and a court told her that Huang would be tried on Moday. “They didn’t say what specifically he was accused of and they have not allowed him or the lawyers to see any documents or evidence,” Zeng said.
After the Sichuan earthquake, Sichuan authorities tried to stop citizen protests, ban media coverage of allegations of shoddy school construction and offered money to grieving parents. According to Zeng, her husband documented the scene at the collapsed schools and delivered food and other rescue equipment to the epicenter. He also posted the appeals and complaints of parents on his Web site at http://www.64tianwang.com. “Besides that, he did nothing. And the reports he posted online were also covered by other media,” she added.
Zeng said Huang had lost weight, but she is not allowed to send him medicine. According to Huang’s lawyer, Mo Shaoping, public security officials told him if he promised not to continue human rights work after his release, they would let him go at once. But Huang refused.
Illegal possession of state secrets can bring jail terms of up to 3 years in China. Lawyers and even judges are not allowed to see the documents in question or challenge their classification, said Nicholas Bequelin, a China researcher for Human Rights Watch. Huang’s attorney, Mo also said, “There’s no real avenue to challenge the validity of whatever authorities classify as a state secret.”
Earlier Monday, Mo said that he first learned of the sudden announcement of the trial date via Zeng, and he had called the court to complain that the lack of forewarning was highly irregular. Mo also accused the court of “intentionally creating difficulties.” According to Mo, rules demand that lawyers be informed of a trial date at least three days in advance.
For more information, please see:
New York Times – Chinese Rights Advocate Faces Trial – 02 February 2009
Reuters – China to try earthquake critic on secrets charge – 02 February 2009
Washington Post – Chinese dissident’s trial postponed, lawyer says – 032 February 2009
Washington Post – China Postpones Trial for Activist – 02 February 2009
