China: Gao Zhisheng ‘missing again’

05 May 10 | Index Index, minipost, Uncategorized

The dissident human rights lawyer — missing for over a year until he resurfaced last month — has been reported missing again by his family. In early April, Gao gave a series of interviews to the western media publicly renouncing activism.  He boarded the Beijing-bound flight from Urumqi on 20 April but his whereabouts are now unknown. Critics speculate that his reappearance was “a ploy to try to demonstrate to the outside world that he had not been mistreated”.

China tightens rules on protection of state secrets

28 Apr 10 | Index Index, minipost, Uncategorized

An amendment to laws on guarding state secrets could force communication providers to cooperate with the country’s security apparatus over the leaking or distribution of state secrets. Telecom operators and internet service providers  will have to ‘detect, report and delete’ information about such secrets. This could force providers to copy the example of Yahoo.  The company famously supplied the Chinese government with the private details of journalist Shi Tao after he leaked sensitive documents in 2007. Tao was arrested.

Tibetan writer arrested, radio transmissions jammed

26 Apr 10 | Index Index, minipost, Uncategorized

Tibetan writer Zhogs Dung was arrested by Chinese police on Friday report Tibetan  sources. Although officials have declined to comment on his detainment, it is assumed that his arrest was related to open letter he signed with other Tibetan intellectuals criticising the government’s relief effort after the Qinghai earthquake. The letter first published on the Tibetan website www.sangdhor.com (temporarily defunct) states that “news from the mouthpiece for the party organisations can not be believed” and also reminds people to not send donations directly to government organisations due to corruption. The Oslo-based Voice of Tibet radio station reports that its transmissions in China have been jammed for two days, despite the fact that the majority of its broadcasts have been messages of condolence from exiled Tibetans.

Tibetan monks sidelined in earthquake disaster

26 Apr 10 | Index Index, minipost, Uncategorized

Tibetan monks were amongst the first to reach remote areas such as Yu Shu after the Qinghai earthquake. Their role in the massive relief effort has gone unrecognised by Chinese media and now they have been told to leave the area by the Chinese authorities. A statement issued by the Chinese State Council recommends the monks “return to their monasteries to ensure the high effectiveness and order of quake relief work.” The Dalai Lama, denied access to visit the disaster area has posted a message of mourning on his Facebook page.