HUMAN RIGHTS: ZENG JINYAN, HU JIA, HUANG QI AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 000402 DEPARTMENT FOR DRL E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/17/2034 TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV CH SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS: ZENG JINYAN, HU JIA, HUANG QI AND WANG BINGZHANG CASES; FM TO RAISE HUMAN RIGHTS DIALOGUE? REF: BEIJING 349 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Aubrey Carlson. Reasons 1. 4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: In a February 17 meeting with an MFA Human Rights Division official, PolOff raised U.S. concerns regarding rights activist Zeng Jinyan and her husband (imprisoned rights activist Hu Jia),detained Sichuan-based activist Huang Qi, and imprisoned democracy activist Wang Bingzhang. The MFA official denied that Zeng Jinyan was under restriction, averring instead that she had "full freedom," including permission to visit Hu Jia in prison. The official "categorically denied" reports that Huang Qi was being punished for assisting the families of victims of the May 2008 Sichuan earthquake, stating instead that Huang had been detained on charges of "illegally possessing state secrets" and that his case was "in process." PolOff urged the MFA to ensure that Zeng Jinyan in fact enjoyed "full freedom" and requested that China observe international human rights norms in its treatment of Hu Jia and Huang Qi. Saying he was speaking privately, the official told PolOff that MFA's Human Rights Division had urged FM Yang to propose continuation of the U.S.-China Human Rights Dialogue when he meets with the Secretary on February 21. End summary. MFA: Zeng free, Huang Qi facing criminal charges -------------- --- ¶2. (C) MFA IO Department Human Rights Division Deputy Director Yao Shaojun requested a February 17 meeting with PolOff to respond to U.S. Government inquiries concerning rights activist Zeng Jinyan, imprisoned activist Hu Jia (Zeng's husband),and detained Sichuan-based activist Huang Qi. Yao denied that Zeng Jinyan's movements or communications were restricted (reftel),claiming that she was "not under house arrest." Public Security Bureau officials had "taken no measures against her," and Zeng had "full freedom to go anywhere," Yao claimed. Yao said that Zeng had traveled to her hometown in Fujian Province during the Chinese New Year. Yao stated Hu Jia's parents had visited their son in prison on January 19 but that Zeng had declined this opportunity, even though authorities had given her permission. (Note: On February 11, Zeng told PolOff she had been allowed to visit her family over the New Year holiday, but stated that her request to visit Hu Jia in prison had not yet been granted.) Yao said Zeng had had access to foreign media and had participated in several interviews. (Note: Post will test the MFA's assertion that Zeng enjoys "full freedom" and attempt to contact her to inquire about her status.) ¶3. (C) Yao categorically denied media reports that Sichuan-based activist Huang Qi was being punished for assisting the families of children killed during the May 2008 Sichuan earthquake. Yao said Huang had been placed in "criminal detention" on June 11, 2008, on charges of "illegally possessing state secrets." In July 2008, the prosecutor had approved Huang's arrest. The case was "still in process," Yao said, and Huang Qi had not yet gone to trial. Yao noted that Huang Qi had been imprisoned in 1986 based on a conviction for "fraud, gambling and other bad behavior." ¶4. (C) Yao stressed that China was responding to U.S. inquiries on these cases in order to "demonstrate goodwill and cooperation," but that China did not tolerate "interference" with its justice system or sovereignty. Yao noted that, by providing information on Zeng Jinyan, Hu Jia and Huang Qi, MFA hoped there would be "no need" for the Secretary to raise these cases when she meets with Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and other leaders on February 21. PolOff urged MFA to ensure that Zeng Jinyan in fact enjoyed "full freedom" and called upon China to observe international human rights norms in its treatment of Hu Jia and Huang Qi. Wang Bingzhang case -------------- ¶5. (C) PolOff noted press reports that democracy activist Wang Bingzhang has faced difficult conditions in prison and called for China to release Wang. Yao said he was not familiar with Wang's case but that he would convey PolOff's request to his superiors. Human Rights Division urges continuation of Dialogue -------------- -------------- ¶6. (C) Saying he was speaking "off the record," Yao told PolOff that MFA's Human Rights Division had urged FM Yang Jiechi to propose continuation of the U.S.-China Human Rights Dialogue when he meets with the Secretary later this week. Yao predicted that FM Yang would raise this matter. Yao said China hoped to continue "productive and even cooperative" exchanges on human rights through formal dialogue, rather than though engaging in "confrontation" over these matters. PICCUTA