Legal Aid Worker at Risk of Torture

Three letters today! (I am a member of a small group who help each other write letters. The letters on this page is the result of our joint effort.)

The first is from China.

Zhuang Lu works for a legal aid and research organisation called the Open Constitution Initiative in Beijing. She has been missing since 22 August, and may be in police custody and is at risk of torture or other ill-treatment.

Read more here: ASA 17/051/2009

Please write before October 13 2009 to:

• Director of the Beijing Public Security Bureau; MA Zhenchuan Juzhang; Beijingshi Gong'anju; 9 Qianmen Dongdajie; Dongchengqu Beijingshi 100740; People's Republic of China; Fax: +86 10 85222320 (Salutation: Dear Director)
• Minister of Public Security of the People's Republic of China; MENG Jianzhu Buzhang; Gong’anbu; 14 Dongchang’anjie; Dongchengqu; Beijingshi 100741; People's Republic of China (Salutation: Your Excellency) Fax: +86 10 63099216

Remember to send a copy to China's diplomatic mission in your local area.

My letter is below.

Ole Koksvik
Philosophy, RSSS
The Australian National University
Canberra ACT 2600
AUSTRALIA


MA Zhenchuan Juzhang
Beijingshi Gong'anju
9 Qianmen Dongdajie
Dongchengqu
Beijingshi 100740
People's Republic of China 11/09/2009
Fax: +86 10 85222320


Dear Director,

My name is Ole Koksvik. I am a Norwegian citizen, an Australian Permanent
Resident, a PhD Candidate at the Australian National University.

It has come to my attention that Zhuang Lu, who is the Finance Secretary of the Open Constitution Initiative (Gongmeng) was detained by police on 29 July and, despite statements from the police that she has been released on August 22, her whereabouts are still unknown. She has not been hear from since 26 August.

I call on you to release Zhuang Lu immediately and unconditionally unless she is charged with an internationally recognizable offence.

I urge you to guarantee that she is not tortured or ill-treated while she remains in custody, and to immediately provide information on her whereabouts, and the reasons and legal basis for her continued detention.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and to consider my concerns.


Sincerely yours,
Ole Koksvik