Dharamsala, September 2 – China yesterday sentenced a man to thirteen years in jail for “crimes” of establishing a political party and writing articles supporting democracy in China. Xie Changfa, 57, was sentenced by Changsha Municipal Intermediate Court for the crime of “subversion of state power,” according to the Human Rights in China which said that the verdict is one of the most severe for a dissident to get in several years.
Xie Changfa’s brother Xie Changzhen and six friends were present during the trial.
Xie Changzhen told HRIC that his brother was handcuffed during the announcement of the verdict and that his brother did not have the opportunity to speak. He said he will file an appeal on his brother’s behalf.
Xie Changfa’s lawyer said that the court’s decision violates the law. “Organizing a political party or assembly is a right protected under China’s Constitution.”
The court decision stated that Xie Changfa illegally set up the China Democracy Party (CDP), and compiled and wrote articles with the intent to disseminate them in order to overturn state power and the socialist system.
Accusations against Xie Changfa include “illegally setting up a party in the long term,” “soliciting and inciting others to attack, denigrate, and overturn state power and the socialist system,” and not only “incitement” but also the “subversion of state power.”
Xie Changfa was detained by Changsha public security authorities in June 2008 for establishing the Hunan Preparatory Committee of the Chinese Democracy Party, drafting the Chinese Democracy Party Manifesto and other documents, and planning and preparing the first convention of representatives of the Chinese Democracy Party from all over the country. In July 2008, he was formally arrested for “suspicion of subversion of state power.” On April 28, 2009, his case was opened in Changsha Intermediate Court.
HRIC appealed the international community to pay close attention to such cases, in which severe criminal sanctions are imposed on individuals exercising fundamental rights and freedoms protected by Chinese and international law. “This is yet another case of the Chinese authorities trampling on rights protected under the Chinese Constitution.”
