HK bishop calls for release of Chinese dissident

Published Date: June 29, 2009

The leader of the Catholic Church in Hong Kong has called for the immediate release of prominent Chinese dissident and democracy campaigner Liu Xiaobo.

A protester in Hong Kong holds
up a poster of Liu Xiaobo in February

“I hope the Beijing government will allow freedom of speech. Accommodating different views would be beneficial for the country, as it is the only way to broaden our perspectives,” Bishop John Tong Hon of Hong Kong told reporters on June 26.

Liu, who co-authored the manifesto “Charter 08″ calling for political reforms and greater democracy in mainland China, was arrested and taken into police custody on June 23 on “suspicion of inciting subversion of the state.”

He had been under house arrest since Dec. 8, two days before “Charter 08″ was released.

“Liu has been engaged in agitation activities, such as the spreading of rumors and defaming of the government, aimed at subversion of the state and overthrowing the socialist system in recent years,” China´s official Xinhua News Agency quoted a Beijing police statement as saying.

“Charter 08″ calls for a new constitution guaranteeing human rights, the election of public officials and an end to the Communist Party´s hold over the military, courts and government.

According to the Hong Kong-based China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group, more than 8,000 mainlanders have signed the document. There is also a number of overseas signatories but the number is yet undetermined.

The China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group, Hong Kong diocese´s Justice and Peace Commission, and some other civic groups handed a petition to the Chinese government´s Liaison Office here on June 25.

In the petition, the groups say they “strongly protest against the Chinese authority arresting Liu Xiaobo without grounds.” They demand that Liu´s indictment be quashed and that he be released immediately.

Bishop John Tong Hon of Hong Kong
called for the immediate release of Liu Xiaobo

The signatories also noted that Liu´s lawyer Mo Shaoping had faced obstacles in handling the case recently, and said they were worried that Liu would not receive a fair trial and adequate legal assistance.

They also called for the central government to stop oppressing and harassing “Charter 08″ signatories. Some of them have been threatened, detained and questioned by police officers.

Liu´s formal arrest has aroused concern both inside and outside China. More than 50 mainland scholars, writers and journalists have signed a petition calling for his release and for greater freedom of expression.

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