| In 1989, Li Hai was a student who participated in the pro-democracy movement in Beijing, China. In June of that year the police cracked down on the protests, killing thousands of the protesters. Li Hai was detained for a year for his part in the movement. Unable to continue his studies after his release, he began to attempt to monitor and investigate the situation of those who remained jailed in connection with the 1989 protests. In May, 1995, Li Hai was arrested and charged with several successive and different charges; "hooliganism," "leaking state secrets," and finally "prying into state secrets," the charge he was convicted on. Article 10 of the Universal Declaration of | the Human Rights (UDHR) guarantees the right to a fair and public hearing. In the case of Li Hai, this right was obviously violated ‹ apparently his trial was a mere formality. Li Hai's right to be presumed innocent until guilty, Article 11 of the UDHR, was also violated. Please write the following short, sweet and to the point letter on Li Hai's behalf to: The Minister of Justice of the People's Republic of China, Xiao Yang Buzhang-Sibafu, Xiaguangli, Beijingshi 100016, People's Republic of China; and/or The Mayor of Beijing, Jia Quinglin Sizhang, Beijingshi Renmi Zhengfu, 2 Zhengyilu, Dongchengqu, Beijingshi 100744, People's Republic of China. Your Excellency: I am asking | for the immediate and unconditional release of Li Hai who has been imprisoned only for monitoring Human Rights violations in China. Many of Li Hai's rights guaranteed under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights have been violated. Article 10 states that he should receive a fair and public hearing, which he did not. He was also presumed guilty before the law which violated Article 11, the right to be presumed innocent. Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that Li Hai has the right to seek, receive, and impart information, or freedom of expression. Please address this matter as soon as possible. Thank you very much. Sincerely, (your name).. |