According to Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD),  human rights activist and “Charter ‘08” signatory, Zhang Zuhua, was abducted by police officers this afternoon on the eve of the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony, which will honor co-signatory of “Charter ’08,” Liu Xiaobo. Prior to the kidnapping, police had steadily increased their efforts to harass Mr. Zhang. Following the Nobel Committee’s announcement on October 8 that Liu Xiaobo would be awarded this year’s Prize, the authorities increased the number of police stationed outside of Zhang’s home and placed restrictions on his movement. On December 7, his Internet connection was severed, and yesterday national security officers ordered him to “travel” with them outside of Beijing for a few days, but he refused. He was then abducted the following day.

 

CHRD demands that the police immediately release Mr. Zhang and all other Chinese citizens who have been kidnapped or forced to live under soft detention as a result of the Nobel Peace Prize being awarded to Liu Xiaobo. These actions have no basis in Chinese law and flagrantly violate international human rights standards. CHRD demands that the officers involved in the illegal abduction of Mr. Zhang be held legally accountable for their actions. CHRD also reiterates its call for the immediate and unconditional release of 2010 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Liu Xiaobo.

 

For more information on the police abduction of Zhang Zuhua, go to: http://chrdnet.org/2010/12/09/charter-08-co-organizer-zhang-zuhua-abducted-by-police-ahead-of-nobel-ceremony