Write a letter to the Chinese government, urging them to release Yang Maodong, who has been imprisoned in violation of his 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 Yang Maodong.

I understand Mr. Yang, a dissident writer, independent publisher and civil rights activist, was arrested on September 14, 2006 and sentenced on November 14, 2007 to five years in prison for “illegal business activity.” He has endured intense torture at the hands of prison authorities, including beatings, sleep deprivation, stress positions, and suspension by his arms and legs while attacked with electric prods. The abuse has reportedly driven him to attempt suicide. Mr. Yang began a hunger strike at Meizhou Prison, Meizhou City, Guangdong Province on December 13, 2007 to protest the deprivation of his basic rights.

Yang Maodong has 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 his immediate and unconditional release.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

[Your Name and Signature]