Still No Word on the Trial Re-opening date

December 21, 2010

Still no word from Li Fangping and the court as to when the re-opening of the trial will take place. Hoping before Christmas, but not looking hopeful, as they are supposed to give us 3 working days notice. But, anything could come in at the last moment. Otherwise, let’s hope for next week. No other news to report, just that the ‘Holiday Post Card Campaign’ is underway, thank you to all those who have sent, are sending and plan to send. The purpose is NOT to have Dawu read them, as that most likely won’t happen, but to show the authorities that he is well remembered, from within China and outside these borders.

Today I dropped off some more clothes for Dawu. Last week Li Fangping had said that Wu had requested a cotton Chinese coat thing with the traditional butterfly button hooks. So, instead of going out and buying new ones, I knew they were with is belongings (outside his studio at 798 Art District, as that was closed shortly after he was detained. The managment effectively kicked him out). So, off I went and collected a cotton hoodie (no zips or buttons), two of his favorite jackets, an old turtle neck, and an old pair of long johns.

Arrived at the detention center, where they only accepted an old turtle neck and a baggy pair of long johns, everything unacceptable, “He doesn’t need outer wear, as they supply that, but only the inner clothes”. Ok, so back into the car and back to his storage area.

Li Fangping will most likely go into see Dawu again next week, regardless of whether the trial re-opens or not. Look forward to hearing him ask LFP why his traditional jackets have not shown up! What can I say, I tried.

Karen

Watch the Nobel Peace Prize – Liu Xiaobo’s Empty Chair

http://nobelprize.org/

Amazing ceremony and very clear and to the point.

A Second Anonymous Phone… same message… urgency!

Tonight at about 6 pm, I received another anonymous phone call, from the same guy, but different number, and seemed to be calling from a road side pay phone a I could hear traffic in the background. “Ah, do you remember me, I called you last night about something?”. Of course, how could forget?

Message the same as last night, but insisting that the lawyer go to the detention center to visit Dawu, not on Monday. When I asked for more details, he avoided and passed the buck saying that he is just a ‘middle man’ for someone else on the inside. I guess like a communications mule?

I called Li Fangping who said that he can on Monday, as he is truly very busy tomorrow. We then discussed how this could be a bit urgent, or else why would I get two in a row and 100% anonymous? Lots of perhaps’s, but trying to not get over excited about what all this could possibly mean. Not easy. The mind likes to wander, esp given the course of events over the past several months.

Li Fangping stated that he will try hard to make a visit for tomorrow afternoon, but can’t guarantee. I will accompany him if he can get the time, as I am uber curious!

Stay tuned.

Plantiff’s Evidence Against Defendent A Bit of a Sham???

A few weeks ago, Lawyer Li was told by the district court that he would be able to not only to view the video tape evidence against Wu, but make a copy to take out of the court room with him. Alas, not only did several of the files not open, but the one that did open, only showed Dawu at 798 front gate, no beating in a police station. LI was not allowed, in the end, to make a copy of the video to take with him outside the court room. Interesting turn of decision, to be sure.

So, we are now waiting for the trial date to come, and am preparing for the media interest in this story, Wu’s case.

I hope you can join us, but understand if you can’t.

Thank you for your support thus far.

The CBC’s THE CURRENT radio interivew about Wu Yuren’s ordeal

http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/2010/10/oct-2210—pt-2-wu-yurenkaren-patterson.html,

URGENT ACTION – for Wu Yuren Amnesty International

UURGENT ACTION CHINESE ARTIST BEATEN BY POLICE

The trial of Chinese artist Wu Yuren, who was beaten by police officers while in detention, is expected to take place in late October. He has been held since 31 May, and the authorities have refused him medical attention. His family and lawyer were told he is facing charges of “obstructing public service”.

On 31 May, Wu Yuren accompanied his friend Yang Licai to the Jiuxianqiao police station, Chaoyang District, Beijing, to assist him in filing a complaint against his landlord. The two men were put into detention in the police station. Wu Yuren told his lawyer that the police were verbally abusive towards them, particularly Wu Yuren, for example saying, “you think you are such a big shot”. Later that evening four to five police officers dragged Wu Yuren out of the room where he and Yang Licai were being held and beat him. Yang Licai reported having heard Wu Yuren’s cries, and the next morning noticed that one of Wu Yuren’s arms was completely limp During his meetings with Wu Yuren, his lawyer observed injuries to his arm, shoulder, forehead and skull resulting from the beating he sustained. The authorities have refused to investigate the allegations of beatings and ill-treatment and have denied that he needs to be seen by a doctor. Yang Licai was released after 10 days.

On 1 June, Wu and Yang were transferred to the Chaoyang District Detention Centre. Neither Wu Yuren’s lawyer or his family received official notice of his detention or formal arrest. They have been informally told that Wu Yuren is being charged with “obstructing public services” and that the case is now with the procuratorate and under investigation. Specifically, he is accused of verbally threatening and beating a police officer, and taking the video camera from another police officer who was filming the incident.

PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in English, Chinese or your own language: ν Calling on the authorities to immediately initiate an investigation into allegations that Wu Yuren was beaten in detention.

ν Calling on the authorities to ensure Wu Yuren is not subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment whilst in detention. ν Calling on the authorities to ensure Wu Yuren has access to his family, lawyer, and any medical attention he requires;

ν Calling for an independent court to seriously consider Wu Yuren’s request for bail,

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 12 NOVEMBER 2010

TO:Head, Beijing Chaoyang District People’s Court Beijingshi Chaoyangqu Fayuan 2, Chaoyang Gongyuan Nanlu Chaoyangqu Beijingshi 100026 People’s Republic of China Email: bjcyqfy_mygt@chinacourt.org Salutation:Dear Head Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of China
WEN Jiabao Guojia Zongli

The State Council General Office
2 Fuyoujie, Xichengqu
Beijingshi 100017
People’s Republic of China
Fax: +86 10 6596-1109 (c/o Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Salutation: Your Excellency

And copies to: Procurator-General of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate of the People’s Republic of China CAO JianmingJianchazhang Zuigao Renmin Jianchayuan 147 Beiheyandajie Beijingshi 100726 People’s Republic of China Salutation: Dear Procurator-General

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date.

URGENT ACTION CHINESE ARTIST BEATEN BY POLICE ADditional Information Wu Yuren is a prominent artist who recently had his first solo art exhibition at the Tang Ren Contemporary in Hong Kong. He was one of the leaders of a February protest against the forced demolition of the 008 Art District in Beijing and was also a signatory of Charter ’08, a petition calling for democratic and legal reforms in China.. Charter 08, initially signed by approximately 300 Chinese scholars, lawyers and officials, is a proposal for legal and political reform in China to establish a democratic system that respects human rights. Charter 08 was launched on 9 December 2008. Numerous signatories of the charter have been questioned and harassed by Chinese authorities since its launch, and one of the leading figures of the Petition, Liu Xiaobo, was sentenced in December 2009 to 11 years’ imprisonment. Human rights activists in China who attempt to report on human rights violations, challenge policies that the authorities find politically sensitive, or try to rally others to their cause, face serious risk of abuse. Authorities use broad and vaguely defined charges of “stealing, possessing and leaking state secrets”, “subversion”, and other politically-motivated charges to arbitrarily detain and prosecute activists, journalists and internet users. According to Article 18 of China’s Criminal Procedure Law, the People’s Procuratorate is responsible for monitoring places of detention and investigating and prosecuting crimes committed by state functionaries. In 2006 the Supreme People’s Procuratorate announced the nationwide implementation of video-taping of all interrogations of criminal suspects by the end of 2007. UA: 215/10 Index: ASA 17/040/2010 Issue Date: 01 October 2010 RGENT ACTION CHINE

I HATE WORDPRESS! Isn’t there an easier way to do this??

Case has now moved to the prosecution stage for Wu

Yesterday Hannah and I went to the Chaoyang Detention center to see about applying for a family visit to see Dawu inside. We were told that because the case has officially moved to the prosecution stage, that a family visit is out of the question. I asked to see the Chinese Law that actually states that, but they laughed in my face! I asked again, but was told the same thing, complete with more laughs, you know the nervous kind that Chinese make. Frustating. I took out my book of papers and articles which I have created since working on all of this, and showed in Chinese an extract which clearly states the opposite to what they were telling me, or trying to get me to believe. Another lawyer working on someone else’s case was beside me and agreed with the counter staff, saying, “Yes, you will NEVER be able to visit someone [inside] in China. Forget it”. Oh, ok. I guess my version of the law is out of date or refers to some other China? Who knows, I certainly don’t. Whatever. Left in tears at the frustration of it all.