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Beijing human rights lawyer Xu Zhiyong detained
The Australian - July 31, 2009
Michael Sainsbury, China – Beijing lawyer Xu Zhiyong, the founder of legal aid organisation the Open Constitution Initiative, which was shut down by authorities two weeks ago, has been arrested in an early morning raid on his home, along with another colleague.
Dr Xu's arrest comes as part of a fresh wave of internet censorship and a crackdown by Chinese authorities on human rights lawyers amid growing social unrest in the county – including deadly riots in urban and localised protests over corruption and economic issues – as the Communist Party prepares for its 60th anniversary celebrations on October 1.
Already 53 lawyers in Beijing and elsewhere - all involved in human rights work – have had their licences suspended or rescinded.
Other not for profit organisations – a group perennially viewed with suspicion by the Chinese authorities - have noted that harassment has been stepped up in recent weeks.
Another legal aid group the Yirenping Center, which is dedicated to fighting discrimination against people who have hepatitis B, was reported to have been raided by authorities on suspicion of engaging in "unlicensed publishing activities," In June, the government formally arrested leading dissident Liu Xiaobo after six months on allegations of subversion.
Tax issues are a favourite charge and were the official basis of Mr Xu's problems. There is increasing social unrest at local levels, too and last week saw 30,000 steelworkers in the country north eastern provinces Jilin take to the streets after the threat of mass sackings, in the process beating one manager to death.
"We are a non-profit civilian organization, has been promoting the country's legal construction and justice, law abiding, rational and non violence are the conceptions of the us, we've been active in public affairs to protect civilians' rights, protect the dignity of law and constitution, " a statement from the open Constitution Initiative released yesterday said.
"Dr Xu Zhiyong and the organisation have always been working openly, within the legal framework of the country, to carry out legal assistance, collective lawsuits (including the Sanlu poisoned milk powder case), social investigation, policy study, governance transparency, public opinion supervision, house demolition, land confiscation, environment protection, equal education and free migration."
"We hope the relevant department sticks to the principle of rule of law and will be tolerant to civilian organizations, handle the case properly and return Dr Xu and Mr Zhuang to freedom as soon as possible."
Hours after the release of the statement, the group's website was shut down.
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