Freedom of Speech

Uyghur Activist ‘Very Weak’ in Prison, Denied Family Visits

Cu, 12/27/2013 - 21:15 -- Anonymous (doğrulanmamış)
Abduweli Ayup (R) with his wife and daughter while studying in the U.S. in 2010. Photo courtesy of the family via RFA

A Uyghur blogger and activist is “seriously ill” in prison in China’s troubled northwestern region of Xinjiang following his detention four months ago, according to concerned family members who have been barred by the authorities from meeting with him.The Chinese authorities have also refused to inform the family of the whereabouts of Abduweli Ayup, a 39-year-old active promoter of the Uyghur language, since he was arrested in August for allegedly illegally collecting donations to run Uyghur schools in Xinjiang.

Late to the Party? The U.S. Government’s Response to China’s Censorship

Pt, 12/09/2013 - 12:03 -- Anonymous (doğrulanmamış)

When China denied veteran journalist Paul Mooney’s visa request this past November, neither the State Department, Administration officials nor anyone on Capitol Hill said anything publicly about a U.S. citizen appearing to be punished for his speech. Similarly, when China failed to renew U.S. citizen and Al Jazeera English correspondent Melissa Chan’s visa, forcing her to leave China in May 2012, a State Department deputy spokesperson merely expressed the Department’s “disappointment” very briefly during a regular Q&A session with the press: “I would just say that we’re disappointed in the Chinese Government – in how the Chinese Government decided not to renew her accreditation. To our knowledge, she operated and reported in accordance with Chinese law, including regulations that permit foreign journalists to operate freely in China.” Such has been the extent of the Administration’s public statements, until now.

Late to the Party? The U.S. Government’s Response to China’s Censorship

Pt, 12/09/2013 - 12:03 -- Anonymous (doğrulanmamış)

When China denied veteran journalist Paul Mooney’s visa request this past November, neither the State Department, Administration officials nor anyone on Capitol Hill said anything publicly about a U.S. citizen appearing to be punished for his speech. Similarly, when China failed to renew U.S. citizen and Al Jazeera English correspondent Melissa Chan’s visa, forcing her to leave China in May 2012, a State Department deputy spokesperson merely expressed the Department’s “disappointment” very briefly during a regular Q&A session with the press: “I would just say that we’re disappointed in the Chinese Government – in how the Chinese Government decided not to renew her accreditation. To our knowledge, she operated and reported in accordance with Chinese law, including regulations that permit foreign journalists to operate freely in China.” Such has been the extent of the Administration’s public statements, until now.

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