From: Committee of 100 for Tibet

Forwarded by: Fred Shepardson (FredShep@aol.com)

Update on Harry Wu - 7/8/95

Harry Wu has been arrested by the Chinese and charged with obtaining state secrets, a serious political offense. The U.S. Embassy in Beijing has not yet been able to communicate with him. Chinese officials had earlier said Wu was being investigated for having violated Chinese law, including entering restricted areas during his trip to China from April 1 - May 6, 1994. After that visit, Wu reported evidence that the Chinese government regularly orders the removal of organs from executed prisoners for sale to officials and foreigners, a charge Beijing denies.

The new turn of events indicates a hardening of China's position against the renowned human rights activist. Wu has testified frequently before U.S. Congressional committees, European Parliament committees, and the United Nations Human Rights Commission. He has published numerous articles on the laogai and human rights in China. Wu is 58 years old, and lives in California with his wife, who was not with him on this trip to China.

China observers say that if Wu is brought to trial, the outcome is foreordained. Normally in such procedures, prosecutors have some months to gather evidence. Only after does the defendant have the right to legal counsel.

Harry Wu, a member of the Committee of 100 for Tibet, is the Executive Director of the Laogai Research Foundation, dedicated to exposing human rights abuses of the laogai, China's forced labor prison camps. Wu, who was born in Shanghai, spent 19 years as a political prisoner in the laogai. He was released in 1979 and in 1985 came to the United States.

He is now an American citizen.

The Committee of 100 for Tibet asks that Harry's supporters write letters: requesting that the Chinese authorities immediately and unconditionally release Hongda Harry Wu; urging the authorities to ensure that, while in detention, Hongda Harry Wu is treated in accordance with international standards for the treatment of prisoners and that he is protected from all forms of ill-treatment; and requesting that his place of detention be made public and he be permitted visits by a representative of the U.S. Embassy.

Letters may be sent to:

Premier of the People's Republic of China:

(Your Excellency)

Li Peng Zongli

Guowuyuan

9 Xihuangchenggenbeijie

Beijingshi 100032

People's Republic of China

[Fax: 011 86 1 512 5810 (via Ministry of Foreign Affairs)]

Director of the Department of Justice:

(Dear Director)

Shayimu Rehefu Tingzhang

Sifating

Jiangkanglu

Wulumuqishi 830002

Xinjiang Zizhiqu

People's Republic of China

Copies of your appeals to :

Editor in Chief, Xinjiang Daily:

Zongbianji

Xinjiang Ribao

Wulumuqishi

Xinjiang Weiwuer Zizhiqu

People's Republic of China

Ambassador Li Daoyu

Embassy of the People's Republic of China

2300 Connecticut Avenue NW

Washington DC 20008