Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BEIJING13333
2006-06-22 10:32:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:  

HUMAN RIGHTS: MFA ON BEATING OF THREE GORGES

Tags:  PHUM PREL KIRF SENV CH 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO7110
OO RUEHCN RUEHGH
DE RUEHBJ #3333/01 1731032
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 221032Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0032
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 013333 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/22/2031
TAGS: PHUM PREL KIRF SENV CH
SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS: MFA ON BEATING OF THREE GORGES
ACTIVIST, UIGHUR AND RELIGIOUS PRISONERS RAISED BY EMBASSY

REF: A. BEIJING 13273

B. BEIJING 12650

Classified By: Classified by Susan Thornton, Political Section,
Acting Internal Unit Chief. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 013333

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/22/2031
TAGS: PHUM PREL KIRF SENV CH
SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS: MFA ON BEATING OF THREE GORGES
ACTIVIST, UIGHUR AND RELIGIOUS PRISONERS RAISED BY EMBASSY

REF: A. BEIJING 13273

B. BEIJING 12650

Classified By: Classified by Susan Thornton, Political Section,
Acting Internal Unit Chief. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: An MFA Human Rights Division official
told Poloff the June 8 beating that paralyzed Three
Gorges dam opponent Fu Xiancai was a common crime that
would be punished and was not politically motivated.
In a June 22 meeting, Poloff raised USG concern and
asked for information about reports involving:

- the June 13 detention of additional family members
of Uighur leader Rebiya Kadeer,
- the June 19 detention of blind legal activist Chen
Guangcheng's family members,
- the possible death in custody of underground Bishop
Su Zhimin,
- the June 16 trial of NYT employee Zhao Yan,
- late May arrests of house Christians in Henan and
Anhui and
- torture of Uighur Tudahun Hoshur and democracy
activist Peng Ming.

The MFA official said he had no information about
these reports but agreed to pass them on to relevant
agencies and to seek a response. END SUMMARY.

Environmental Activist's Beating "A Common Crime"
-------------- --------------


2. (C) In response to concerns raised by Poloff, MFA
Human Rights Division official Zhang Xumin said that
initial investigations into the June 8 beating that
paralyzed Three Gorges Dam opponent Fu Xiancai
indicate the assault was a "common crime" and was not
politically motivated. Poloff noted reports that Fu
was beaten on his way home from a police station where
he had been called for questioning about an interview
he gave to German media. Zhang said that Germany and
other European governments had raised concerns about
the case. He stated that the MFA had received
information from the local government leading the MFA
to conclude that the assault was a common crime that
would be punished.

Harassment of Activists' Family Members
--------------


3. (C) Poloff raised USG concerns about reports that
blind legal activist Chen Guangcheng's elderly mother
and three-year old son were taken from Beijing and
forcibly returned to Linyi, Shandong Province on June
19 because they had planned to participate in a news
conference highlighting Chen's mistreatment (ref A).
Poloff expressed concern that additional members of
Rebiya Kadeer's family, notably her son Kahar and
brother Mamat, had been detained on June 13 in
Xinjiang. Local government actions against the
relatives of such figures raise serious doubt about
China's adherence to international standards and
principles of rule of law, Poloff stated. Zhang
agreed to look into these reports, but said whether
China would provide any response was a political
question.

Reported Death of Underground Catholic Bishop
--------------


4. (C) Poloff asked Zhang for information about press
reports that underground Catholic Bishop Su Zhimin of
Hebei Province had died recently in custody. (Note:
Bishop Su disappeared in October 1997 and China
claimed it had taken "no coercive measures against
him, but he was reportedly being held in a government-
run guesthouse in Hebei. End Note.) Zhang said he
was unaware of the reports and would inquire about
them.

Zhao Yan Trial, Detention of House Christians
--------------


5. (C) Poloff conveyed details of the following
reports and urged the Chinese government to release
the individuals involved:

- the June 16 trial of New York Times researcher Zhao
Yan,
- the May 26 detention of disabled underground
Protestant pastor Wang Zaiqing in Huianan City, Anhui

BEIJING 00013333 002 OF 002


Province, ostensibly for printing religious materials
and
- the ongoing detention of three house church leaders
from Fugou County, Henan Province following a May 28
raid.

Zhang said he had no information about those cases but
agreed to convey USG concerns.

Reports of Torture
--------------


6. (C) Finally, Poloff urged that MFA look into
reports of torture of two imprisoned Chinese
activists. First, Peng Ming, founder of the China
Democracy Union, reportedly was tortured after being
brought back from Burma to China in 2004. Peng has
since been denied medical treatment in prison for
ailments, including kidney problems and high blood
pressure, according to documents filed with the UN
Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. Second, Tudahun
Hoshur was reportedly tortured on June 2 in the
Kosheriq Detention Center, Shuidong County, Yili
Prefecture, Xinjiang. Zhang agreed to convey both
reports to relevant agencies.
RANDT