Sichuan Earthquake Activist Convicted

[Stepbrow]

Tan Zuoren was given a 5 years sentence for subverting the state. He is an activist who investigated the shoddy construction of the destroyed buildings from the Sichuan Earthquake. Tan raised the possibility that the shoddy construction was due to local officials failing to enforce the building standards.

 

Here is a quote from the story that I agree with: "The Chinese government doesn't seem to understand that criticism is not the same thing as incitement, and that criticism of individual officials or government agencies is not the same thing as calling for the overthrow of the government," said Joshua Rosenzweig, research manager for the U.S.-based Dui Hua Foundation. "This law is being used in a quite arbitrary and irresponsible way, simply as a tool to silence opinions that the government doesn't want to hear."

 

You can read the entire article here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100209/ap_on_...quake_dissident

[a2784]

Tan Zuoren was given a 5 years sentence for subverting the state. He is an activist who investigated the shoddy construction of the destroyed buildings from the Sichuan Earthquake. Tan raised the possibility that the shoddy construction was due to local officials failing to enforce the building standards.

 

Here is a quote from the story that I agree with: "The Chinese government doesn't seem to understand that criticism is not the same thing as incitement, and that criticism of individual officials or government agencies is not the same thing as calling for the overthrow of the government," said Joshua Rosenzweig, research manager for the U.S.-based Dui Hua Foundation. "This law is being used in a quite arbitrary and irresponsible way, simply as a tool to silence opinions that the government doesn't want to hear."

 

You can read the entire article here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100209/ap_on_...quake_dissident

 

Old news .. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2009-08/...ent_8563026.htm

 

Seems that cut some slack with the 5-year sentence:

 

According to the Criminal Law, the heaviest punishment for subversion is life in jail.