Guo Yushan, a scholar and public intellectual who founded a public policy think tank in China, was arrested on January 3, 2014 for “operating an illegal business,” although the government has not formally charged him with this crime. He was denied access to counsel for three months after his arrest, and his defense lawyer has also been detained.
CCS urges President Xi Jinping to investigate this case and assure that Guo is provided with access to counsel, family and medical care while in detention and to dismiss the charges that appear to be without basis in fact.
President Xi Jinping
The State Council General Office
Fuyoujie, Xichengqu
Beijing 100017
People’s Republic of ChinaMarch 12, 2015
Your Excellency:
We write now in concern for Guo Yushan.
Guo is a scholar and public intellectual, with a degree in economics. He founded a public policy think tank, The Transition Institute, that researched and published papers on social and environmental issues in China and was shut down by the authorities in 2013. In 2012, Guo reportedly helped the human rights activist Chen Guangcheng’s escape from house arrest and was threatened with punishment for his actions.
On October 9, 2014, according to news reports, Guo was placed under house arrest and remained so for 81 days with no specific charges being filed. He was released and then on January 3, 2015 was arrested and charged with “operating an illegal business.” His computer, hard drive and documents were also seized. According to his wife, Pan Haixia, to date, Guo has not been brought before a magistrate or any other legal authority to pursue such a charge. Guo has stated publicly that he runs a “think tank,” has paid all applicable taxes and there is no evidence that he operates any illegal business enterprise.
According to Human Rights Watch, Guo was not allowed access to his lawyer for three months after his arrest. His defense lawyer, Xia Lin has also been detained. It would appear that Guo is being punished for past expressions of opinion, for his association with Chen Guangcheng in 2012, and for his support of others who advocated greater transparency by the authorities. Moreover, his treatment so far lacks all elements of due process, as required by the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, to which China is a signatory.
We respectfully urge you to investigate this case and assure that Guo is provided with access to counsel, family and medical care while in detention and to dismiss the charges that appear to be without basis in fact.
Sincerely,
Joel L. Lebowitz, Paul H. Plotz, Walter Reich,
Eugene M. Chudnovsky, Alexander GreerCo-Chairs, Committee of Concerned Scientists
Related articles
- China: Release Leading Rule of Law Activists (hrw.org)
- China – Country of Concern: latest update 31 December 2014 (refworld.org)