[governance] Statement by IGC on Huan Qi's sentencing

Sat Aug 3 13:46:14 EDT 2019

Do we actually believe our actions will secure his release?

Or rather, have the opportunity tp be clear that despotic behavior is unacceptable in the world community?  And so, want to be clear on the fact.

Which is the realistic option?

David

> On Aug 3, 2019, at 1:29 PM, ian.peter at ianpeter.com wrote:
> 
> I am not happy with the tone of this. 
> 
> If you actually want something to happen and for China to listen, I would suggest removing phrases such as "Huang Qi's persecution and imprisonment reflects China’s continued repression of free speech."  That will achieve nothing towards securing a release.
> 
> I think earlier on Chaitanya was alluding to the need for a more diplomatic post, when he suggested (along with a third suggestion which everyone rejected)
> 
> - Huang Qi has greatly strengthened China as a country by bringing to the foreground these issues (corruption & human rights issues). 
> - It is our (my) view that he should be honoured as a strong contributor to society. 
> 
> I can see the logic in including such phrases and in phrasing a letter so that it is not so much an attack on a country who we are asking to take a specific action to free someone who we believe has been wrongfully imprisoned.
> 
> 
> 
> Ian
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ------
> From: "Salanieta T. Tamanikaiwaimaro" <governance at lists.riseup.net <mailto:governance at lists.riseup.net>>
> To: "Marie Georges" <ma.georges at orange.fr <mailto:ma.georges at orange.fr>>
> Cc: "Norbert Bollow" <nb at bollow.ch <mailto:nb at bollow.ch>>; "governance" <governance at lists.riseup.net <mailto:governance at lists.riseup.net>>
> Sent: 3/08/2019 2:45:52 AM
> Subject: Re: [governance] Statement by IGC on Huan Qi's sentencing
> 
>> Dear All,
>> 
>> Please suggest revisions. When there is consensus and we finalise, we can release the statement to China's ambassador to Geneva who is on the MAG. 
>> 
>> Proposed Draft
>> The Civil Society Internet Governance Caucus is deeply concerned by the sentencing of online activist Huang Qi to 12 years in prison.  Huang has been honored multiple times by Reporters Without Borders for his courage in exposing corruption and human rights violations in China through his website, 64 Tianwang.
>> 
>> Huang Qi's persecution and imprisonment reflects China’s continued repression of free speech.  We urge the Chinese government to uphold its international commitments related to fair trial guarantees and the rule of law.  We call on China to immediately release Mr. Huang, and to allow him access to his family, medical care, and legal counsel as soon as possible.  We also call on China to end undue restrictions on the freedom of movement of his family and those who assisted him.
>> 
>> We note that China is a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council this year. The Civil Society Internet Governance Caucus calls on China to aspire to subscribe to the Charter of the Internet Rights and Principles which was developed by the Dynamic Coalition on Internet Rights and Principles within the Internet Governance Forum and is available on the OHCHR website. 
>> 
>> 
>> On Fri, 2 Aug 2019, 5:48 pm Marie Georges, <ma.georges at orange.fr <mailto:ma.georges at orange.fr>> wrote:
>> Complete agreement with you Norbert.
>> Marie
>> 
>> Envoyé de mon iPhone
>> 
>> > Le 2 août 2019 à 10:24, Norbert Bollow <nb at bollow.ch <mailto:nb at bollow.ch>> a écrit :
>> > 
>> > On Fri, 2 Aug 2019 03:38:08 +0530
>> > "Chaitanya Dhareshwar" (via governance Mailing List)
>> > <governance at lists.riseup.net <mailto:governance at lists.riseup.net>> wrote:
>> > 
>> >> - A reasonable middle ground between sentencing (law) and honouring
>> >> commitment to free speech would be to give a Community Service
>> >> sentence
>> > 
>> > I would strongly object to anything that calls anything a "reasonable
>> > middle ground" which is not fully in alignment with all human rights
>> > including the right to free speech.
>> > 
>> > Greetings,
>> > Norbert
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