Aust. Iemma: Raise rights with Chinese Premier

Iemma must raise human rights with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao

NSW Premier Iemma should have the courage to raise the ongoing human rights abuses committed by the Chinese security forces when he meets Chinese Premier Wen Jiabo at Sydney Airport tomorrow, according to Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon.

"The Premier of NSW has a moral obligation to raise human rights abuses including the secret detention of Chinese documentary filmmaker Hao Wu who has been detained incommunicado for over month by Chinese security forces." Ms Rhiannon said.

"Mr Hao Wu has been detained by the Beijing's Public Security Bureau since February 22 after filming a congregation of a Christian church not recognized by the Chinese Government for his latest documentary.

"So while Premier Iemma is trying to drum up business, the basic human rights of the Chinese people continue to be violated.

"Premier Iemma should ask Wen Jiabao when Hao Wu will be released.
How can we be talking about free trade with China when the Chinese people are not free?"

The Chinese Government wants to bring its economy to the world so why can't its filmmakers also have the same invitation? Lee Rhiannon said.

The latest US State Department Report on Human Rights in China states that arbitrary arrest and detention remains a serious problem in China.

Among those specially targeted for arbitrary detention or arrested during the year were China Democracy Party activists, Falun Gong practitioners, domestic and foreign journalists, unregistered religious figures, and former political prisoners and their family members.

For more information on Hao Wu see:

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