On behalf of imprisoned pro-democracy activists
CHINA the official Chinese Xinhua News Agency. Campaigns have continued at various levels throughout the world. For example, before the Hong Kong delegation, there was a joint delegation of people of Chinese origin from a number of countries,
WE PUBLISH below the preamble to an international petition from such as the USA, Britain and so on. They non-governmental organizations against the repression in China.
went to China, where they were treated
It was written before the outcome of the recent wave of trials was roughly and told to leave. There has also been a delegation from the French Médeknown (see box on p. 7). The text of the petition reads:
cins Sans Frontières group. This kind of
"We the undersigned individuals and organizations, hereby unspectacular action has been going on all make the following urgent appeal to the Chinese Government:
the time, but it has been overshadowed by
"To release, immediately and unconditionally, all those the Gulf War.
exercise of i geng the to proden sol
• Are there differences inside the example, defence campaign, demonstration during the 1989 pro-democracy movement, and efforts at manipulation by the Taiwaalso all those imprisoned on these grounds prior to 1989.
nese government?
"To cease forthwith carrying out any further acts of repression
There have always been pressures from the Taiwanese government and rightwing against China's peaceful pro-democracy movement, and to take forces overseas, but this is a broad moveall necessary measures to return China to the rule of law and
The main sentiment is for democracy in
For further information and copies of the petition, contact
China and liberal intellectuals play the predominant role. But there is also a sig-
October Review or the Tiananmen University of Democracy at nificant pro-socialist current. When there is an action, people of all political persuasions, and none, mobilize.