Democracy Activist Zhu Yufu Given Harsher Sentence after Re-trial

China must end political persecution using trump-up charges

(Chinese Human Rights Defenders, April 10, 2008)- Hangzhou democracy activist Zhu Yufu (朱虞夫) was given a harsher sentence yesterday after he was re-tried for “obstructing the police from carrying out their public duty” by Hangzhou Intermediate People’s Court on March 28. In addition to the original two years in prison, Zhu is further deprived of political rights for two years, four months and twenty-six days.

The sentence for Zhu’s co-defendant, his son Zhu Ang (朱卬) remains the same: 18 months in prison immediately commuted to two years’ probation.

The father and son were originally tried and sentenced on July 10, 2007. Reportedly, the president of the court discovered mistakes in the trial of their case and decided to try it again. Family had hoped that the trial would result in Zhu’s release or a lighter sentence.

CHRD believes that the sentence is an act of political persecution for Zhu’s political and human rights activities. By participating in these activities, Zhu is peacefully exercising his freedom of expression and association, rights guaranteed in Articles 19 and 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which China has signed (but not yet ratified). These rights are also enshrined in Article 35 of the Chinese Constitution.

Background

Zhu was a veteran Democracy Wall activist in the 1970s. In 1999, he was sentenced to seven years in prison for participating in organizing the banned Chinese Democratic Party. Since his release in September 2006, he has been actively participating in human rights activities.

On April 18, 2007, while questioning Zhu and his son without showing any legal authorization outside of their apartment, policemen roughly handled and injured Zhu Ang. Upon seeing his son injured, Zhu Yufu pushed one policeman away from his son. This incident was used as "evidence" to convict them of their "crime".

For more information, please see:

Zhejiang Veteran Democracy Activist Sent back to Jail

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Information about Zhu Yufu

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