Expressing its deep concern at the subversion charges against Liaoyang labour activists Yao Fuxin and Xiao Yunliang, the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) wrote on January 9 to President Jiang Zemin, urging him to drop all charges against the worker representatives and to release those still in detention immediately. It has also asked the ILO to intervene directly with the Chinese authorities.

The next day, the ICFTU sent a strongly worded letter to Wang Zhaoguo, the newly appointed chairman of the official All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU). In the letter, General Secretary Guy Ryder denounced repeated public attacks by the ACFTU's top leadership on the Liaoyang detainees. He stressed that accusations of violence, including regarding the alleged burning and bombing of cars by the indicted workers, had been flatly denied by local authorities as well as by the ACFTU regional leader for Liaoyang.

The trial is just two days away. In its online news released today, the ICFTU urges its member organisations on all continents to send strong protests to the Chinese authorities over the case.

We also appeal to you to spread the word and urge your friends to
send protests [2] to the Chinese authorities demanding the release of the Liaoyang Four!





Links:

ICFTU Letter to President Jiang Zeming [3]

ICFTU Letter to ACFTU chairman [4]


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Online: 2003-01-13