China Arrests Human Rights Activist

Photo of rights activists Hu Jia (R) and his wife Zeng Jinyan

By Juliana Chan
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

BEIJING, China - In an apparent effort to repress dissent before the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Chinese authorities have detained a prominent AIDS and human rights activist, accusing him of subversion.

Police forced their way into Hu Jia's home, cut his telephone and Internet connections, and took him into custody Thursday. Mr. Hu, 34, was arrested on charges of "incitement to subvert state power," a charge that is said to be vague and has often been used against Chinese activists. His wife, Zeng Jinyan, also a well known AIDS activist remains under house arrest, with security personnel posted outside their home and contact with the outside world cut off.

Mr. Hu is known for helping people with AIDS receive treatment. Furthermore, he and his wife have chronicled their lives under house arrest, writing about run-ins with security offices and hired thugs.

In November, Mr. Hu, using a Web camera, participated in a European parliamentary hearing in Brussels about human rights in China. He expressed that the official promises are not being kept before the Olympic games.

His arrest comes in the wake of an intensifying government crackdown on rights defenders. As the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics near, the Chinese government has made great efforts to portray a flawless image of the country, and "has increasingly clamped down on those who criticize its heavy-handed policies."

Mr. Hu can face a long prison term, but as The New York Times reports, "a prosecution of one of the best known human rights advocates would generate negative publicity about China's rights record before the 2008 Olympic Games."

For more information, please see:

IHT - China AIDS activist detained for 'subversion' as police cut his home phone line, Internet - 29 December 2007

The New York Times - China Detains Dissident, Citing Subversion - 30 December 2007

AFP - Chinese human rights activist arrested: rights group, campaigners - 29 December 2007

Reporters Without Borders - Outrage at human rights activist Hu Jia's arrest in Beijing - 28 December 2007