We believe that the reason to arrest a writer based on the excuse that one "publishes articles overseas and resulted in slanders of a government" has no solid ground in legal system, it is a sign of an out-dated way of thinking in politics, and is not acceptable in morality. Allowing to critisize a government is the basic human right in a civilized society; freedom of speech is the basic principle of political civilization; speaking out on a matter of principle or justice is the moral dignity of modern intellectuals. We strongly appeal to the Chinese government to release Li Jianping according to its own law and we appeal the international society and human rights organizations to urge the Chinese government to respect international laws and respect Li Jianping's basic human rights.

Recently, Mr. Li Jianping published articles at ChinaEWeekly, Epoch Times, China Democracy and some other websites to critisize the Chinese government and call attention to human rights in China. We read these articles again and did not find any evidence of slandering. His articles only expressed the opinion of an internet writer. Li Jianping does not advocate violence ever and his articles are political comments based on information published by the Chinese government. The count of "slandering" is astonishing and shameful. As is well-known, if there is such a criminal charge, it is equivalent to prohibiting all critisizm to a government. As a result, the civilization of human being will go back to the worst period of time. (boxun.com)

We also notice that the Chinese government arrest and harass journalists and writers. This political retreat is a strong contrast to the image of "China's standing up" from the international society. If such a standing up is a basic fact, the international society has the responsibity to watch out the consequence of the uprise of a government that surpresses the freedom of speech unscrupulously and treads on its citizen's basic human rights.

Mr. Li Jianping has a wife and a 3 years old duaghter. He also has a 86 years old mother in his hometown. We appeal to the Chinese government to repect to Li Jianping's family and do not disburb and interfere their normal daily life or deprive them of political rights, as it happens often in the past.

We will continue to focus on Mr. Li Jianping's case until he receives his appropriate rights and freedom. We appeal to everyone to support our statement and ask you to show your concern for the worse and worse control of speeches and political darkness and to show your protest to the Chinese government by signing this letter with us.

ChinaEWeekly Editorial Department

Weiguo Zhang Bumei Ren Yongyi Song Yuan Feng Shaohan Han Kuide Chen Perry Link

To sign on this letter, please go to:

http://www.qian-ming.net/english/default.aspx?dir=scp&cid=11 _(²©Ñ¶×ÔÓÉ·¢¸åÇø·¢¸å) (boxun.com)