HUMAN RIGHTS: EMBASSY URGES CHINA TO RELEASE ZHANG

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 004022

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/CM, DRL
NSC FOR WILDER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/22/2033
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF CH
SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS: EMBASSY URGES CHINA TO RELEASE ZHANG
MINGXUAN, CEASE HARASSING FAMILY MEMBERS

REF: 10/17/08 GOLDRUP-EAP/CM E-MAIL

Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Aubrey Carlson. Reasons 1.
4 (b) and (d).

SUMMARY
--------------


1. (C) The U.S. Government is deeply concerned about reports
that PRC authorities have detained prominent house church
Pastor Zhang Mingxuan (aka "Pastor Bike"),and beaten and
harassed his family members, POLOFF told MFA Human Rights
official Zhu Yanwei on October 22, urging Zhang's immediate
release from detention. The MFA's Zhu said his office
previously reported U.S. concerns about Zhang's case to
senior MFA officials and that the Ministry is "seeking
information" from public security officials. Zhang
Mingxuan's son, Zhang Chuang, told POLOFF October 20 that
officials are holding his father in Nanyang City, Henan
Province, the family's hometown. End Summary.

EMBASSY URGES RELEASE OF PASTOR ZHANG MINGXUAN
-------------- -


2. (C) POLOFF on October 22 told MFA IO Human Rights Division
official Zhu Yanwei that the United States is deeply
concerned about reports that PRC authorities have detained
prominent house church Pastor Zhang "Bike" Mingxuan,
seriously beaten his two sons, and otherwise harassed members
of Pastor Zhang's family. POLOFF urged China to immediately
release Zhang from detention and cease harassment of Zhang's
family members, including Zhang's wife, daughter, sons and
extended family.


3. (C) The MFA's Zhu told POLOFF that his office previously
reported the Embassy's concerns about the Zhang case to
senior MFA officials on October 17, and that he is attempting
to "obtain information" from PRC public security officials
about the case. Zhu said he will provide information in
response to the Embassy's inquiries "as soon as it becomes
available." Zhu also claimed that he is "certain" Zhang will
be treated "in accordance with the law of the country," and
that Zhang "should be punished if he violated any laws." (On
October 17, POLOFF told MFA IO Human Rights Division Director
Yan Jiarong that the United States was concerned by reports
that Zhang Mingxuan's sons, Zhang Jian and Zhang Chuang, were
severely beaten. The MFA's Yan replied at the time that she
was unaware of the case but that she would report U.S.
concerns to her superiors.)

ZHANG MINGXUAN HELD IN NANYANG CITY, SONS BEATEN
-------------- ---


4. (C) Pastor Zhang's son, Zhang Chuang, told POLOFF October
20 that he and his older brother, Zhang Jian, were badly
beaten by authorities in Beijing on October 16. Zhang said
that his injuries were less severe than Zhang Jian's, who
left the hospital after "recovering a bit" but with his eye
"badly injured." Zhang Chuang told POLOFF that he and his
brother remain in Beijing, but that authorities took his
mother and sister back to Nanyang City in Henan Province over
the October 18-19 weekend. Zhang Chuang related to POLOFF
that Nanyang City authoritieslearned from officials in
Kunming City that Pastor Zhang Mingxuan was in Yunnan
Province, and Nanyang City authorities are now holding Pastor
Zhang in Nanyang after having brought him back from Kunming.
(Note: When POLOFF again contacted Zhang Chuan on October 22
to inquire about developments, Zhang said it was "not
convenient" to talk about the situation.)
RANDT