Write a letter to the Chinese government, urging them to release Lu Zengqi and Yuan Qiuyan, who have been imprisoned in violation of their right to freedom of expression .

[Date]

His Excellency Hu Jintao
President of the People’s Republic of China
State Council
Beijing 100032
People’s Republic of China

Mr. Wang Shengjun
President of the Supreme People’s Court
No.27 Dongjiaominxiang
Dongcheng District, Beijing 100745
People’s Republic of China

Your Excellencies:

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the suppression of the right to freedom of expression in China and to appeal for the release of writer Lu Zengqi and online publisher Yuan Qiuyan.

Falun Gong member and internet writer Lu Zengqi was sentenced on February 19, 2004 to ten years in prison for writing an online publication which “tarnished the image of the government by broadcasting fabricated stories of persecution suffered by cult members.” Falun Gong member and internet publisher Yuan Qiuyan was also sentenced to ten years in prison for publishing the newsletter, which alleged ill-treatment in prison of a fellow Falun Gong member.

Both Mr. Lu and Mr. Yuan have been imprisoned for non-violent activities that are protected under Chinese law, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which China is a signatory. I therefore urge you to facilitate their immediate and unconditional release.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

[Your Name and Signature]