Who are the New Youth 4?
The New Youth 4 is the name given to the four individuals currently in jail for the crime of discussing political reform. The New Youth Study group was founded in 2000 by five university graduates in Beijing. The group was soon joined by three other members, including Li Yuzhou, an informant for the State Security Ministry. On March 13, 2000, four members of the group, Jin Haike ((靳海科), Xu Wei (徐伟), Yang Zili (杨子立) and Zhang Honghai (张宏海) were seized by the government, and in 2003, sentenced to between eight and ten years for the crime of “subverting state power.”
Of what crime were the New Youth 4 found guilty and sentenced?
All four members of the group were found guilty of “subverting state power.”
When will they be released from prison?
Now Yang Zili, Xu Wei and Jin Haike are kept in the Second Prison of Beijing. Yang is expected to be released on March 13, 2009 while Xu Wei and Jin Haike on March 13, 2011. Zhang Honghai is imprisoned in Lishui of Zhejiang Province and will be set free on March 13, 2009.
Is it legal to discuss politics in China?
Article 35 of China’s Constitution declares that “Citizens of the People’s Republic of China enjoy freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association, of precession and demonstration.”
Was the trial of the New Youth 4 fair?
(The following is excerpted with permission from a report issued by the Laogai Research Foundation.)
The judgment is essentially made upon faked testimonies. Since the State Security Bureau (SSB) of Beijing failed to find any material evidence, they “made” testimonies of witnesses. By threatening Huang Haixia that if she did not admit that the organization is anti-CCP and anti-socialism she would be sentenced to seven or more years’ of imprisonment and therefore lost her chance of graduation, they got testimony they wanted from Huang. Another undergraduate Fan Erjun met the same situation so he had to confess that the group was aimed to overthrow China’s socialist system. But after Zhan Yanhua, Fan Erjun and Huang Haixia were set free, they immediately made a statement, saying their “testimonies were faked under the threat of the SSB”. Even Li Yuzhou, the former SSB spy now living in Thailand, confessed that the reports he delivered to the SSB were “cooked up” according to the intention of his superior. However, the trail by the First Intermediate People’s Court of Beijing on September 28, 2001, and again in April and May, 2003, and the examination of the defendants’ appeal by the Higher People’s Court of Beijin in November 2003, are made exactly on the basis of these testimonies that the three witnesses had already renounced and the SSB agent Li
Yuzhou had already voiced his indignation over the misuse of his reports.
Why does this case matter?
This case matters for two important reasons. First, the New Youth 4 committed no crime and convicted based upon faulty evidence and untrustworthy testimony. Four young men with a deep concern for the future of China are now rotting in prison, the victims of frequent torture. If nothing else, they deserve not one day more of prison.
Second, it’s important for others to know that they can speak freely and openly about making China better and stronger. When speech is abridged and the rule of law flouted, a society grows weak and tired. Millions of Chinese are now graduating from universities and looking to shape and change their country for the better. They need the assurance from their government that they can learn about, debate, and discuss China’s future.
What can I do to help?
Spread the word about this case. If you have a blog, post. If you have a pen, write. If you have a voice, speak. Above all, however, it is important to remain respectful and debate only the merits of this case. As we have seen with other similar cases around the world, it is better to argue the particulars of a case than it is begin hurling insults at governments. Effective campaigns can and have had the effect of helping courageous citizens regain their liberty. We hope to accomplish the same with the New Youth 4.
A list with the addresses of China’s embassy’s and consulates around the world will soon be added. We encourage you to write sincere and respectful letters asking that the Chinese government correct this mistake and free the New Youth 4 immediately.
Who is behind this website?
Newyouth4.org is made up of individuals living in China and around the world who share a passion for justice and the freedom of speech.
