Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
China activist who spoke out on quake gets 3 years
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
China activist who spoke out on quake gets 3 years
By CHRISTOPHER BODEEN,Associated Press Writer -
Tuesday, November 24
Send
IM Story
Print
BEIJING – A veteran dissident was sentenced Monday to three years in prison after casting a spotlight on poorly built schools that collapsed during China's massive earthquake last year, killing thousands of children _ an apparent government attempt to squelch such information.
Huang Qi, founder of a human rights Web site, had been charged with illegally possessing state secrets, his wife Zeng Li said by telephone. His detention in June 2008 came after several posts on his blog that criticized the government's response to the massive earthquake that struck Sichuan province a month earlier and killed about 90,000 people.
Huang had alleged that state-controlled media provided skewed reports on relief efforts and accused the government of obstructing the work of non-governmental organizations responding to the disaster, according to reports at the time by Paris-based monitoring group Reporters Without Borders.
"The government is using its propaganda to portray itself as a savior to little avail," the group quoted him as saying in one Web posting.
Huang had also spoken to foreign media outlets about parents' accusations that their children had been crushed in badly built schools. The government has attempted to quash such complaints, fearing the contentious issue could undermine the admiration and goodwill it earned for the massive rescue effort it led, boosted by volunteers and international aid.
But activists and parents _ many of whom lost their only children in the quake _ have repeatedly demanded those responsible for the shoddy construction be punished and called for an inquiry. Those seeking to press the issue have been detained, harassed and threatened by police and thugs believed to be in the employ of local officials.
Huang's sentencing appeared to be one more attempt at silencing the discussion.
Officials contend the sheer force of the 7.9-magnitude quake alone caused school buildings to collapse, ignoring evidence showing that schools were often the only ones to crumble in many parts of the quake zone while nearby buildings survived.
In May, just days before the one-year anniversary of the quake, China gave the first official tally of students' deaths from the temblor, saying 5,335 were killed or remained missing.
Zeng, Huang's wife, said the Wuhou district court in the western city of Chengdu gave no details about the state secrets charge, an ill-defined accusation often used by Communist leaders to clamp down on dissent and imprison activists. Because of the charge, authorities were able to bar Huang from seeing his lawyer and forbid the photocopying of court documents, rights group Amnesty International said.
Zeng said the court refused to issue a written account of the sentence, leaving her at least temporarily without the necessary documentation to file an appeal.
"And we definitely plan to appeal," said Zeng, who was unable to speak with Huang after the sentencing because he was led directly from the court.
Calls to the court and Huang's lawyers rang unanswered Monday.
The sentence could give grist to critics of President Barack Obama, who faulted him for not being more outspoken on human rights during his visit to China last week. While Obama raised the topics of universal rights and Internet freedom, he largely avoided the appearance of lecturing his hosts over such issues, something Beijing has responded to in past with indignation.
In a statement, Amnesty International called for Huang's immediate release, saying he was being punished merely for helping illuminate the tribulations of families whose children died in the earthquake.
"He should never have been detained in the first place and should be released immediately," the group's Asia-Pacific director, Sam Zarifi, was quoted as saying in the statement.
Amnesty said several supporters who asked to attend the sentencing were turned away and beaten by police who ringed the courthouse. It gave no details, and their identities were not immediately known.
Huang has already served a five-year prison sentence on subversion charges linked to politically sensitive articles posted on his Web site.
Since his release in 2005, Huang has supported a wide range of causes, including aiding families of those killed in the 1989 military crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Beijing's Tiananmen Square and publicizing the complaints of farmers involved in land disputes with authorities.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Woman found 25 hours after Indonesia ferry sank AP - 1 hour 52 minutes ago
Formerly conjoined twins leave intensive care AP - 2 hours 17 minutes ago
Indian PM pitches for growing US ties AFP - 2 hours 44 minutes ago
Japanese hostage in Yemen freed: governor AFP - 2 hours 55 minutes ago
Hundreds protest trash incinerator plans in China AP - Tuesday, November 24
News Search
Top Stories
Gold hits record high 1,174 dollars
Atom-smasher aims sharp increase in power next year
Tax credits fuel 10 percent surge in US home sales
Atlantis astronauts begin third and last spacewalk
U2 to headline Glastonbury festival
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Antarctic ice loss vaster, faster than thought: study
BA warns cabin crew over strike: report
Harnessing the power of salt, Norway tries osmotic power
Crisis forcing hard-up Spaniards to sell their hair
US economy will 'bounce back': Indian PM
More Most Viewed »
Alcohol helps cut heart disease risk for men: study
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Tuesday, 24 November 2009 Iraq vote in fresh doubt as new bill faces veto
Five dead in Italian transport plane crash: military
Atom-smasher aims sharp increase in power next year
Eight soldiers dead in Russia munitions blast: ministry
Gold hits record high 1,174 dollars
Tweets or bleats? Tool measures importance on Twitter
Israel-Hamas prisoner swap deal near
British police to compensate De Menezes family
Britain surveys cost of devastating floods
Brazil: World should engage, not isolate Iran
U2 to headline Glastonbury festival
UN climate chief expects 'specific' deal
Iran's Ahmadinejad on controversial trip to Brazil
Atlantis astronauts begin final spacewalk
Israel, Hamas near swap of prisoners for soldier
Saudi Arabia seeks to curb flu and stop protest at haj
| International
|
Amended Iraqi election law still angers Sunnis
Israel has history of uneven prisoner swap deals
Russia says new blast at arms depot kills 8
| International
|
Iranian official in fake degree scandal dies
No deal yet on Shalit prisoner swap: Israeli PM
Iraq parl't passes new vote law, veto unresolved
Jail broken iPhones vulnerable to new virus
| Technology
|
Google buying display advertising startup
| Technology
|
Official: China mine that exploded was too crowded
Hundreds protest trash incinerator plans in China
Pentagon: Fort Hood review due Jan. 15
China activist who spoke out on quake gets 3 years
Obama to honor young inventors at science fair
Taiwan's dwindling birth rate causes concern
4 US service members die in Afghan attacks
Clinton says Iraqi election might be delayed
Smartphone growth to continue strong in 2010
| Technology
|
Jackson's doctor returns to work at Houston clinic
India test-fires medium-range missile
China families protest mine disaster; toll hits 104
Feds find association between drywall, corrosion
Pakistan's army attacks militants in northwest
Program to help truckers attracts drug smugglers
Oldest Mt. Everest climber celebrates recognition
Attack on election convoy kills 21 Filipinos
Palin arrives at Fort Bragg to a crowd of hundreds
Hundreds mourn Mich. boy allegedly slain by father
Pipe-cutting led to radiation at Pa. nuke plant
Heaping plates nullify Thanksgiving calorie cuts
China tells banks to control lending
Thai court charges banking scandal suspect Saxena
Pakistani stocks end lower; rupee weakens
Hong Kong bans ex-CLSA banker from finance jobs
Susan Boyle set for biggest UK album of 2009: HMV
| Entertainment
|
Macau plans Michael Jackson shrine to house iconic glove
| Entertainment
|
Fox says will make profit with sci-fi epic Avatar
| Entertainment
|
Rolling Stone Italy names Berlusconi 2009 rock star
| Entertainment
|
U2 to headline UK's Glastonbury Festival
| Entertainment
|
Darwin book found on shelf worth up to $100,000
| Entertainment
|
Gunmen fire on Americans' home in Indonesia
British TV star Susan Boyle's album goes on sale
Fox CEO wants US to join France on Internet piracy
Michael Jackson's doctor says others gave him propofol
| Entertainment
|
Lebanon to host European film festival from Thursday
Bizarre candidates kick off Philippine election race
LA committee to review Jackson memorial costs
EPA Sets National Rules On Construction Site Soil Runoff
Brad Pitt's production company enters "Dark Void"
Six-Term Rep. Dennis Moore To Announce Retirement
Adam Lambert ready to shake up pop world with CD
NYC Tavern Offering 100 Proof Vodka Turkey
Dispute Over NYC Subway Seat Ends Badly When Pest Control Worker Kills Homeless Man
Michael Jackson 'Opus' book offers rare images
MA Attorney General Still Ahead In Race For Ted Kennedy's Seat
Facebook May Have Triggered Redhead Beating Incidents
U2 to headline Glastonbury festival
Amnesty International Urges Obama to Address Human Rights In India
To millions, Oprah's not a megastar, just a BFF
BART Facing Questions Again With Officer's Use Of Force During Arrest
Three Mile Island Leak Not Serious
9/11 Suspects To Plead Not Guilty During New York Trial
Belgian pleads guilty in U.S. jet parts sale to Iran
KLM flies world's first "passenger flight on biofuel"
Hong Kong man, three others jailed for spam scheme
Philippines imposes emergency rule after massacre
| International
|
Afghan governor warns Dutch over pullout: report
HP quarterly net profit up 14 percent
US-TECH Summary
Belgian pleads guilty in U.S. jet parts sale to Iran
| International
|
"Jail broken" iPhones hacked by new virus
Gold hits record high 1,174 dollars
Peacekeepers should prepare to leave Darfur
Philippines declares emergency in parts of south
| International
|
Gartner forecasts 2.8 percent growth in PC sales in 2009
Congo warlords in the dock at Hague court
| International
|
TV: Israel proposing 10-month settlement freeze
Google buying display ad startup Teracent
Tajikistan fails to curb abuse of women: Amnesty
| International
|
Few US firms ready for workforce disruption: survey
Peacekeepers should prepare to leave Darfur: Sudan
| International
|
Jordan king dissolves parliament, calls election
| International
|
HP quarterly net profit up 14 percent
Iran shuts newspaper for Baha'i photo: media
| International
|
'Day of Outrage' takes stand against violence
Philippines declares emergency after 24 killed
Goodbye jobs, hello mom and dad, say young adults
Trial of Khmer Rouge prison chief in final stage
Poll: Americans conflicted over health overhaul
Microsoft, News Corp weigh Web pact: source
| Technology
|
Opposition debate Australian carbon reduction laws
White House braces for tough sell on Afghan policy
AT&T offers pay by day, week, month data options
| Technology
|
Philippines declares emergency after 24 killed
Obama meets with top advisers on Afghan policy
Overnight star Susan Boyle focus of TV special
China blast mine 'overcrowded': safety official
Alleged Hawaii spy found competent to stand trial
Philippines imposes emergency rule after massacre
Lawmaker defends RI Rep Kennedy in Communion flap
Australian PM urges parliament to approve carbon cuts
Eight charged in U.S. for Somali war recruiting
Somali-US youth told jihad would be 'fun'
Renowned Chinese translator Yang Xianyi dies
Former Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej dies
SKorea pledges to double aid to Africa
China planning agency OKs Shanghai Disney project
SKorean trade chief urges US to move on agreement
SKorea pledges to double aid to Africa
Coal-burning China invests in methane capture
China Eastern Airlines teams up with Alibaba
Adam Lambert's sexually-charged act draws complaints
| Entertainment
|
NZ inflation expectations jump sharply-RBNZ survey
S.Korea turned net creditor as of end-Sept -c.bank
New Moon final weekend box office hits $142.8 million
| Entertainment
|
Woman found 25 hours after Indonesia ferry sank
Korea Hot Stocks
Frost honored, Britain wins 5 International Emmys
| Entertainment
|
S.Korean bonds down on data jitters
Seoul shares inch up; Woori slips after block deal
Man pleads innocent to taping Erin Andrews nude
| Entertainment
|
The real Alice in Wonderland's book up for auction
| Entertainment
|
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Frost honored, Britain wins 5 International Emmys
Britain wins 5 International Emmys; 1st for Brazil
Final episode of TLC's 'Jon & Kate Plus 8' airs
Sarah Palin's book tour hits NC's Fort Bragg
AP source: Palin book sells big in first week
Title fight unites boxers of different faiths
War deprives Yemeni elite of choicest chew
Chief guilty of 3 counts in Parker-Broderick case
Vampire sequel 'New Moon' feasts on box office
Spain police detain 30 in Basque raids: report
Google to digitise Iraq Museum archives: CEO
DR Congo war crimes trial begins at The Hague
Britain begins long-awaited Iraq war probe
Iran says needs guarantees to ship nuclear fuel
| International
|
Shalit prisoner swap 'very close:' Israeli minister
Netanyahu says Hamas prisoner deal might not happen
| International
|
AIDS death toll passes 25 mln: UNAIDS
Netanyahu says Hamas prisoner deal might not happen
Twitter eyes acquisitions, sees making money in 2010
Magnitude 6.8 quake recorded near Tonga
| International
|
GM has paid back Opel loans to Germany: Merkel
Iran said ready for uranium exchange on its soil
'Comfort food' relieves stress: Australian study
Microsoft, News Corp weigh Web pact: source
Iraq national vote unlikely in January: official
| International
|
HIV kills 25 million, infects 60 million: UNAIDS
China executes two for tainted milk scandal
| International
|
Japan finance minister urges BoJ on deflation
Google documents Iraqi museum treasures
Soldiers kill 18 militants in Pakistan Khyber area
| International
|
WHO probing drug resistant swine flu
| International
|
Mankind using Earth's resources at alarming rate
Yemen conflict inflaming Saudi-Iranian rivalry
Hague prosecutor accuses Congo warlords
| International
|
KRouge trial prosecutors want Duch jailed
Police arresting people just for the DNA
| International
|
Israeli aircraft strike arms operations in Gaza
Obama meets war cabinet on Afghanistan
Sri Lankan opposition party to support war hero
India probe blames mosque attack on Hindu leaders
Twitter eyes acquisitions, sees making money in 2010
| Technology
|
Thai Cabinet invokes security law ahead of protest
Obama hosts Indian prime minister
Jail broken iPhones hacked by new virus
| Technology
|
Khmer Rouge prosecutors seek jail term for Duch
Sparkling reindeer-dung jewelry sells at Ill. zoo
Opposition backs Australian carbon reduction bill
China executes pair over tainted milk scandal
Former Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej dies
SPIN METER: Legislation inflation grips GOP
Space agencies argue over delayed launch
SC legislators begin Sanford impeachment hearings
Sri Lankan navy seizes 100 illegal migrants
Atlanta cops, shaken community try to make amends
NYC police promote head of 9/11 trial security
Pro-Kremlin group slams Uzbek war memorial removal
Astronauts rest up after 3 spacewalks
Ailing Japan Airlines to receive emergency loans
Nokia says it will cut 220 R&D jobs in Japan
Pakistan's PSO to import 3.5 mln T diesel from Kuwait
S.Korea BOK grew warier on economy in Oct
Rock-star wife details drug mayhem in new book
| Entertainment
|
China shares fall on economic policy uncertainty
Regis Philbin taking leave of absence for surgery
| Entertainment
|
S.Korea c.bank to set inflation target on Nov 26
Japan's Hitachi to build rail car plant in Britain
French first lady Bruni to act for Woody Allen
China backs writers in fight against Google Books
Japan finance minister urges BoJ to tackle deflation
Overnight star Susan Boyle focus of TV special
Britain tops Emmy awards list, Brazil gets first
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights