HUMAN RIGHTS: MFA ON BEATING OF THREE GORGES

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