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