Write a letter to President George W. Bush, urging him to press for the release of all writers and journalists imprisoned in China in violation of their right to freedom of expression.

[Date]

President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC  20500
Fax: 202-456-2461

Dear President Bush,

I am writing to express my deep concern over the suppression of the right to freedom of expression in China and to urge you to use your power as President of the United States to help free all writers and journalists imprisoned throughout China before the Olympic Games open in Beijing on August 8, 2008.

Despite explicit promises that it would improve its human rights record, China has in fact engaged in a significant crackdown on dissident voices and free expression in this Olympic year. I understand that at least nine writers have been detained since International Human Rights Day (December 10, 2007), and many more have been harassed by authorities. There have been news blackouts and other serious restrictions on reporting from Tibet and areas affected by the May 12 earthquake, and Internet censorship remains widespread.

As the Olympic Games approach, I urge you to raise these incidents with Chinese authorities and press for the release of all writers and journalists imprisoned in China in violation of their right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

[Your Name and Signature]


CC: The Honorable Condoleezza Rice
Secretary of State
US Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520
Fax: 202-261-8577