08 Charter - Call for Freedom of Expression in China

On December 09, 2008, a group of 303 Chinese writers, intellectuals, lawyers, journalists, retired Party officials, workers, peasants, and businessmen have issued an open letter – the "08 Charter" – calling for legal reforms, democracy and protection of human rights in China.

Since 9 December the Charter is online and police has interrogated supporters in Beijing, Shanghai, Liaoning, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, Hainan, Shaanxi, Hubei and Hunan. Among the signatories, Liu Xiaobo, an intellectual, was arrested on Monday. [read more...]

"Charter 08" has now been signed by over 5000 intellectuals, lawyers, journalists, writers, scholars, artists, including contemporary Chinese artists, Li Xianting, Gao Zhen, Gao Qiang, Liu Yi, Lily X. Yang. As overseas Chinese intellectuals, we are calling for actions and support from global artist communities. Those who want to express their support can send a message to this address: 2008xianzhang@gmail.com

By June 04, 2009, 20 years anniversary of Tiananmen Incident, the list of signatures will be translated into a virtual 3D monument in Second Life, which will imitate the shape of "Statue of Democracy" created in student movement in 1989. All signers will be listed as artists contributing to the "social sculpture." For furthur discussion, please contact Lily Jun in Second Life , or email to netart@lilyhonglei.com

08 Charter re-addresses the fundamental concept of "Freedom at the core of universal values. The rights of speech, publication, belief, assembly, association, movement, and to demonstrate are all the concrete realizations of freedom."

It states that "China, as a great nation of the world, one of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, and a member of the Human Rights Council, should contribute to peace for humankind and progress in human rights. But to people’s regret, among the great nations of the world, China, alone, still clings to an authoritarian political way of life. As a result, it has caused an unbroken chain of human rights disasters and social crises, held back the development of the Chinese people, and hindered the progress of human civilization. This situation must change! The reform of political democratization can no longer be delayed.

Because of this, we, with a civic spirit that dares to act, publish the “08 Charter.” We hope that all Chinese citizens who share this sense of crisis, responsibility and mission, without distinction between the government or the public, regardless of status, will hold back our differences to seek common ground, actively participate in this citizens’ movement, and jointly promote the great transformation of the Chinese society, so that we can establish a free, democratic and constitutional nation in the near future and fulfill the dreams that our people have pursued tirelessly for more than a hundred years."

Read full text of 08 Charter at
http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/press?revision_id=85750&item_id=85717