On December 13, 1995, Wei Jingsheng was sentenced to 14 years in prison and charged with "conspiring to subvert the government." Wei had "disappeared" on April 1, 1994, and was held illegally in incommunicado detention for 20 months.

Wei Jingsheng was first arrested in March 1979 for calling for democracy and criticizing Deng Xiaoping. In his most famous essay "The Fifth Modernization", Wei argued that modernization was impossible in China without necessary democratic reform. In September 1993, after 14 and a half years in prison, he was released in an effort by the Chinese government to secure the 2000 Olympics.

During his brief six months of freedom Wei Jingsheng continued to speak out for democracy and human rights. He was stood firm in his open and peaceful approach, as reflected in his writings and the few interviews he gave to journalists.

Wei Jingsheng is held under constant supervision by six common criminals and submitted to sleep deprivation. Due to the poor living conditions, his health has deteriorated. Wei suffers from angina pectoris, myocardial infarction and high blood pressure, but Chinese authorities continue to refuse him medical treatment.

TRANSNATIONAL RADICAL PARTY

Tel. (212) 930.1031

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email: trans.rad.ny@agora.stm.it