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ABA Ramps Up Efforts Urging Release of Bookseller Detained in China
Printer-friendly versionOn Monday, March 26, the American Booksellers Association urged the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) to take action on behalf of publisher/bookseller Gui Minhai, a Chinese-born Swedish national who has been detained by Chinese authorities.
“As time has passed, Mr. Gui’s plight has predictably faded from the front pages,” said David Grogan, director, ABFE, advocacy and public policy. “We cannot allow his plight to fade, however, from the priorities of our government. It is imperative that the U.S. join with Sweden in demanding in no uncertain terms the release of Mr. Gui. Pressure must be placed on the Chinese government to do the right thing. And we call on our booksellers and anyone concerned about free expression to join us in our efforts in calling for the release of Mr. Gui.”
In late January, Gui was traveling by train to Beijing with two Swedish diplomats when plainclothes police officers boarded at a station and led Gui away. At the time, Gui had been on his way to the Chinese capital for a medical examination at the Swedish Embassy after showing signs of ALS. Chinese officials claim that Gui had planned to illegally pass on multiple documents containing state secrets to overseas groups, according to Chinese newspaper Global Times.
On February 9, Gui appeared in an interview staged by Chinese authorities, where he stated he wanted no help from any concerned nations or organizations, including Sweden. Many media outlets reported that it was likely that Gui’s statement was coerced by the Chinese government.
In a letter to Sen. Marc Rubio, chairman of CECC, Grogan wrote: “The continued harassment and detention of Mr. Gui poses a serious threat to free expression. Mr. Gui is co-owner of Mighty Current publishing, which is known for producing and selling books that are critical of the Chinese government. These books are regularly banned in mainland China but available in Hong Kong. This case continues to send an intimidating message to writers, publishers, and booksellers in Hong Kong that tackling politically sensitive topics can imperil an individual’s freedom and safety.
“We respectfully urge the Congressional-Executive Commission on China to immediately take all appropriate actions to help ensure the swift release of Mr. Gui.”
In early March, Sweden accused China of refusing to allow Mr. Gui to see a Swedish doctor, as reported by the Guardian. “China’s action is unacceptable and breaks previous assurances that our citizen would be given the opportunity to see a Swedish doctor,” Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström said in a statement.
Wallström added: “Our work on the case continues unabated. We continue to demand that Mr Gui be given the opportunity to meet Swedish diplomatic and medical staff, and that he be released so that he can be reunited with his daughter and family.”
Congressional-Executive Commission on China
243 Ford House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Chairman Rubio:
The American Booksellers Association, a not-for-profit trade association of independent booksellers throughout the country, urges the Congressional-Executive Commission on China to take action regarding the detention by Chinese authorities of publisher/bookseller Gui Minhai, a Chinese-born Swedish national. We fear that as this situation has faded from the front pages, Mr. Gui’s plight will soon be forgotten. This must not happen.
We urge you to demand in the strongest terms that Chinese officials release Mr. Gui and allow him to go back home to Sweden.
As I’m sure you are aware, in mid-January, Mr. Gui was traveling by train to Beijing with two Swedish diplomats when plainclothes police officers boarded at a station and led Mr. Gui away. At the time, Mr. Gui had been on his way to the Chinese capital for a medical examination at the Swedish Embassy (after showing signs of ALS).
On Friday, February 9, Chinese authorities arranged an interview in which Mr. Gui stated that he wanted no help from concerned organizations and nations, including Sweden. It was painfully obvious in watching the interview that Mr. Gui was likely coerced into his statement and that, rather than heeding this purported request and backing off, the U.S. should redouble its efforts on his behalf.
As you know, Mr. Gui has become a symbol of the Chinese government’s determination to smother criticism from abroad when he was one of five Hong Kong booksellers who disappeared in 2015, and then resurfaced in China in police custody. Mr. Gui was accused by Chinese state news media of publishing books that slurred Communist Party leaders.
The continued harassment and detention of Mr. Gui poses a serious threat to free expression. Mr. Gui is co-owner of Mighty Current publishing, which is known for producing and selling books that are critical of the Chinese government. These books are regularly banned in mainland China but available in Hong Kong. This case continues to send an intimidating message to writers, publishers, and booksellers in Hong Kong that tackling politically sensitive topics can imperil an individual’s freedom and safety.
We respectfully urge the Congressional-Executive Commission on China to immediately take all appropriate actions to help ensure the swift release of Mr. Gui.
Sincerely,
David Grogan, Director, American Booksellers for Free Expression, Advocacy and Public Policy
American Booksellers Association
333 Westchester Ave, S202
White Plains, NY 10604