Amnesty International called yesterday on the Chinese authorities to release all those currently detained or jailed for using the Internet to peacefully express their views or share information.
"Everyone detained purely for peacefully publishing their views or other information on the Internet or for accessing certain websites are prisoners of conscience," Amnesty International said. "They should be released immediately and unconditionally".
In report launched today ("People's Republic of China: State Control of the Internet in China" - ASA 17/007/2002), Amnesty International records the cases of at least 33 people who have been detained or imprisoned for offences related to their use of the Internet. They range from political activists and writers to members of unofficial organizations, including the Falun Gong spiritual movement.
One of the longest sentences has been passed against a former police officer, Li Dawei, (see: "People's Republic of China: State control of the Internet in China: appeal cases" ASA17/046/2002), who has been sentenced for 11 years in prison for downloading articles from Chinese democracy websites abroad. All his appeals have been turned down.
"Everyone detained purely for peacefully publishing their views or other information on the Internet or for accessing certain websites are prisoners of conscience," Amnesty International said. "They should be released immediately and unconditionally".
In report launched today ("People's Republic of China: State Control of the Internet in China" - ASA 17/007/2002), Amnesty International records the cases of at least 33 people who have been detained or imprisoned for offences related to their use of the Internet. They range from political activists and writers to members of unofficial organizations, including the Falun Gong spiritual movement.
One of the longest sentences has been passed against a former police officer, Li Dawei, (see: "People's Republic of China: State control of the Internet in China: appeal cases" ASA17/046/2002), who has been sentenced for 11 years in prison for downloading articles from Chinese democracy websites abroad. All his appeals have been turned down.