China Detains Ai Weiwei as Warning:Amnesty

Washington, D.C.: The detention of China’s most famous artist and political critic, Ai Weiwei, is a troubling development in a widening crackdown on dissent that has seen dozens of activists detained over the last few months, Amnesty International  said today.
"Ai Weiwei was not even involved in any call for 'Jasmine' protests.  There seems to be no reason whatsoever for his detention, other than that the authorities are trying to broadcast the message that China’s time for open dissent has come to an end," said Donna Guest,Amnesty International ’s deputy director for the Asia-Pacific.
"We've already seen the chilling effect the 'Jasmine Revolution'-related arrests have had on Chinese activists and netizens over the past month. Holding Ai Weiwei takes this to another level," said Guest. "If the authorities are so bold as to grab this world-renowned artist in broad daylight at Beijing airport, it’s frightening to think how they might treat other, lesser known dissidents." 

Police detained Ai Weiwei at Beijing airport on April 2.  His wife and several members of his studio staff were also detained on the weekend.  

Since online calls for Chinese 'Jasmine Revolution' protests inspired by people’s movements in the Middle East and North Africa began circulating in late February, the Chinese authorities have rounded up dozens of activists, lawyers and bloggers.  

Amnesty International  is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 3 million supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied. 

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 is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 3 million supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied. 

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 said today.   

"Ai Weiwei was not even involved in any call for 'Jasmine' protests.  There seems to be no reason whatsoever for his detention, other than that the authorities are trying to broadcast the message that China’s time for open dissent has come to an end," said Donna Guest,Amnesty International ’s deputy director for the Asia-Pacific.   

"We've already seen the chilling effect the 'Jasmine Revolution'-related arrests have had on Chinese activists and netizens over the past month. Holding Ai Weiwei takes this to another level," said Guest. "If the authorities are so bold as to grab this world-renowned artist in broad daylight at Beijing airport, it’s frightening to think how they might treat other, lesser known dissidents." 

Police detained Ai Weiwei at Beijing airport on April 2.  His wife and several members of his studio staff were also detained on the weekend.   

Since online calls for Chinese 'Jasmine Revolution' protests inspired by people’s movements in the Middle East and North Africa began circulating in late February, the Chinese authorities have rounded up dozens of activists, lawyers and bloggers.   (Issued on Monday, April 4, 2011)

Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 3 million supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied. 

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