His Excellency Ambassador Zhang Yesui
Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United States
3505 International Place, N.W.
Washington D.C. 20008
Via email at chinaembpress_us@mfa.gov.cn

Dear Ambassador: We, the undersigned, request the immediate and unconditional release of the poet Zhu Yufu, imprisoned by the People’s Republic of China in January 2012 for the peaceful exercise of his right to self-expression and free speech.

We are appalled if no longer surprised that a nation with such a deep and abiding connection to its poetry would consider the composition of It's Time to constitute a crime against the state:

It’s time, people of China! It’s time.
The Square belongs to everyone.
With your own two feet
It’s time to head to the Square and make your choice

It’s time, people of China! It’s time.
A song belongs to everyone.
From your own throat
It’s time to voice the song in your heart

It’s time, people of China! It’s time.
China belongs to everyone.
Of your own will
It’s time to choose what China shall be.

The People’s Republic should know by now that the censored word speaks loudest. Please remind your Government that each act of repression against the writers, journalists and human rights defenders targeted for detention, abuse and silencing violates Article 35 of the Chinese constitution, which states that

"Citizens of the People's Republic of China enjoy freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association, of procession and of demonstration."

and of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that

"Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers."

Again, we request the immediate and unconditional release of the poet Zhu Yufu, imprisoned by the People’s Republic of China in January 2012 for the peaceful exercise of his right to self- expression and free speech.

Sponsor

Links