Following recent representations made to the Chinese authorities regarding the case of
acknowledged human rights activist Mr Hu Jia, the European Union remains deeply
concerned about his continuing detention. The EU understands that Hu Jia is accused of
'inciting subversion of state power' on the basis that he has written articles, and given
interviews, in which he expresses opinions critical of the Chinese Government.
The EU believes that respect for the right to freedom of expression, together with other
human rights such as that of freedom from arbitrary detention, is essential for long-term
economic prosperity and social stability, as well as being justified in its own right. The EU
supports the recommendation of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention
(expressed in its 2004 report on China) that laws on state security should not be used to
undermine these rights. The EU considers charges of 'subversion' resulting from the
peaceful expression of opinions to undermine the right to freedom of expression enshrined
in both the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Constitution of the
People's Republic of China.
Hence, having regard to the EU-China Dialogue on Human Rights, the EU Guidelines on
Human Rights Defenders, as well as all the national and international commitments of
China to human rights and the rule of law, the EU calls on the Chinese authorities to
release Hu Jia together with all other writers, journalists and others detained for reporting
on or demonstrating against human rights abuses, and to refrain from further such
detentions.
In relation to this, the EU welcomes the early release of journalists Yu Huafeng and Ching
Cheong. Yu Huafeng, the former head of Guangzhou-based newspaper Nanfang Dushi
Bao, was released on 8 February 2008 after serving four years of a twelve-year prison
sentence. Ching Cheong, the Hong Kong-based chief China correspondent for The Straits
Times was released on 5 February 2008 after serving three years of a five-year prison
sentence. In both cases a great number of Chinese journalists lobbied for the release of
their imprisoned colleagues, giving witness to the responsiveness of China's civil society.
While appreciating these early releases, the EU reiterates its appeal to the Chinese
authorities to restore the political rights of Yu Huafeng so as to enable him once again to
contribute to the further development of Chinese society.
The EU wishes to emphasise that further such releases would demonstrate China's
commitment to the rule of law, and its attachment to internationally recognised human
rights principles as set out inter alia in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The Candidate Countries Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the
Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania,
Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Liechtenstein and
Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.
* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the
Stabilisation and Association Process