Council for a Community of Democracies

Chinese Man Imprisoned For Trying To Rally Support for China Democratic Party
By Randi Zung
September 17, 2009

In China, Xie Changfa, 57, was found guilty of “subversion of state power” and sentenced to thirteen years in a socialist re-education camp and five years of “deprivation of political rights” for promoting democracy in the Communist nation. The BBC reports the Changsha Municipal Intermediate Court ruled that Xie had violated the law by attempting to set up a meeting of the China Democracy Party (CDP). Xie denied the charges, but was still convicted. According to Xie’s lawyer, Ma Gangquan, he did not violate the law and his actions were within the limits of the constitution. Human rights advocates claim that Xie’s punishment is one of the harshest sentences to be issued in years. It was also reported that this is not Xie Changfa’s first time being found guilty for crimes against the Communist government. In 1989, he spent three years laboring in a re-education camp after speaking out against the military during a pro-democracy protest.

While China does have alternative political parties to the ruling Communist Party, those parties have not challenged the authority of the government. These parties are supposed to act as advisers to the overall government, therefore allowing the Chinese government to claim the label of a democracy. The China Democracy Party was established in 1998, but dissolved after six months and was never registered with the government. Founding members of the party were convicted for subversion and sentenced up to thirteen years. The China Democracy Party has never been approved by the government.

According to an article by the Associated Press, human rights groups are reporting an increase in the number of dissenter arrests and police harassment. The increased number of arrests is being attributed to an impending celebration on October 1st that will mark the 60th anniversary of the Communist Party coming to power. Party leaders expect to use the celebration to showcase the Communist Party’s strength and longevity.

Human Rights in China, an international advocacy group, reports Xie Changfa was originally taken into custody in June 2008. His case began trial on April 28, 2009. He was sentenced on September 1, 2009. His lawyer has stated that he intends to file an appeal.

Sources:

China dissident given jail term
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8233315.stm

Chinese sentences dissident to 13 years jail
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hrAgw7AqH1pDIBfWa3EKeEXLEUhAD9AF01KO1

Xie Changfa Receives Severe Sentence of 13 Years’ Imprisonment for Organizing Political Party
http://www.hrichina.org/public/index