Write a letter to the Chinese government, urging them to release Tao Haidong, 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 Tao Haidong.

I understand that Mr. Tao, an Internet writer and editor, was arrested July 9, 2002 in his home in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region while in the process of posting articles on the Internet. After a trial that began in secret on January 8, 2003, he was found guilty of “inciting subversion of state power” and sentenced to seven years in prison and three years’ deprivation of political rights. Mr. Tao is currently being held in Changji Prison in Changji City, Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region.

Tao Haidong 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]