Chinese activist detained without reason

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) criticises the detention of a human rights activist by police in Zhuhai on September 1, 2017. Zhen Jianghua, the executive director of ATGFW.org was detained, along with his girlfriend by Zhuhai police. Zhan’s apartment was allegedly ransacked by police on two occasions, both times police did not provide warrants for the search. Computers, phones and documentation of the Human Rights Campaign in China (HRC China) were taken in the raids. Zhan’s girlfriend was released after six hours.  ATGFW.org provides tools, skills and news about the Great Firewall of China. Zhan had also been acting as a representative of HRC China, which was founded in 2008. HRC China aimed to defend voiceless groups. Shortly before his detention, <font color="#231f20">Zhan was campaigning for six people in Guangdong who were detained by police after they held a memorial service for Liu Xiaobo. </font>He has worked as a human rights activist for over 10 years. No reports about Zhan’s arrest have been published by Mainland outlets. Police are still yet to provide details about Zhan’s detention or the reason behind it. The IFJ Asia Pacific Office said: “While we understand the role of the police to guarantee the safety of society. Due process must be followed during police protocol, including disclosing the reason behind someone’s detention or the searching of their property.” We call on Shi Mingfeng, the Head of the Zhuhai Police Bureau to disclose the reason behind Zhan’s detention and immediately release him. For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +61 2 9333 0946The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 140 countriesFind the IFJ on Twitter: @ifjasiapacificFind the IFJ on Facebook: www.facebook.com/IFJAsiaPacific