Human rights lawyers Messrs Jiang Tianyong, Tang Jitian and Teng Biao were assaulted, detained and/or placed under house arrest by police in Beijing on 16 February 2011.

Further Information

The three human rights lawyers had met for lunch with a number of other human rights lawyers and activists to discuss the continuing illegal house arrest and mistreatment of human rights defender Mr Chen Guangcheng and his wife Ms Yuan Weijing, who were the subject of a Front Line Urgent Appeal dated 11 February 2011.

At approximately midday on 16 February 2011, Jiang Tianyong, Tang Jitian and Teng Biao gathered with a group of other lawyers and human rights defenders to discuss ways in which they might offer help to Chen Guangcheng and his family. However, from 12.15pm onwards, the restaurant began to be surrounded by a number of policemen from the Beijing Public Security Bureau, who remained outside until the lunch broke up at 2.30pm.

Later that afternoon, Jiang Tianyong, having left the restaurant, was detained by police and taken to Yangfangdian police station in Haidian District, Beijing for interrogation. It is reported that during his detention, Jiang Tianyong was roughly manhandled and pushed forcefully against a wall, hitting his head. He was released approximately five hours later but was reportedly informed by the deputy head of the police station that he would not be allowed to leave his home without permission until 19 February.

At around 6pm the same evening, a group of policemen broke into the home of fellow human rights lawyer Tang Jitian and forced him into a waiting police car. He currently remains in police custody; however, his whereabouts are unknown. A third participant at the lunch, well-known human rights lawyer Teng Biao, was picked up off the street by police who then drove him to his home, where he was placed under house arrest.

It is believed that these three incidents relate to the lawyers' concern over Chen Guangcheng's house arrest. All three lawyers are veteran human rights defenders who have had their licenses permanently revoked or have failed to have them renewed because of their human rights work. They have also been subject to frequent harassment and intimidation by the police on account of their work.

Previously, in January 2011, Jiang Tianyong was barred from leaving China while attempting to attend a human rights seminar in the United States. In May 2010 Tang Jitian was prevented from leaving the country. Teng Biao, whose passport has been confiscated, is also unable to leave China.

Front Line believes that the assault, detention and house arrest of Jiang Tianyong, Tang Jitian and Teng Biao are directly related to their legitimate and peaceful work in defence of human rights. Front Line is concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of all three human rights defenders.

Front Line urges the authorities in China to:

1. Immediately account for the whereabouts of Tang Jitian, and immediately and unconditionally release him, as it is believed that the measures taken against him relate solely to his legitimate human rights activities;

2. Remove all restrictions to the free movement of Jian Tianyong and Teng Biao, as it is believed that these measures are not only solely related to their legitimate human rights activities but, furthermore, constitute a direct transgression of their human rights;

3. Carry out an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the ill-treatment of Jiang Tianyong in detention, with a view to publishing the results, and bringing those responsible to justice in accordance with international standards;

4. Guarantee in all circumstances that human rights defenders in China are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions including judicial harassment.