Jiang Weiping discusses press freedom in China
Toronto, February 6, 2005 – PEN Canada will hold a press conference at Massey College on Monday, February 9 to mark the arrival in Toronto of Jiang Weiping, investigative journalist, poet, Honorary Member and recipient of PEN Canada’s 2006 One Humanity Award. Jiang recently travelled to Toronto on a special permit granted on humanitarian grounds by the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.
Toronto, February 6, 2005 – PEN Canada will hold a press conference at Massey College on Monday, February 9 to mark the arrival in Toronto of Jiang Weiping, investigative journalist, poet, Honorary Member and recipient of PEN Canada’s 2006 One Humanity Award. Jiang recently travelled to Toronto on a special permit granted on humanitarian grounds by the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.
In 2001, Jiang was imprisoned for subversion after exposing high level government corruption in north-east China. After a secret trial he was sentenced to eight years in prison where he was kept in solitary confinement for 45 days and denied visitors for two years. In December 2002 an appeals court reduced his sentence to six years. In 2006, in the face of growing international pressure, he was granted an early release on condition that he refrain from political activity.
Since then Jiang has worked as a calligrapher in Dalian province. Two weeks ago, his passport was returned to him. After a brief introduction, Mr. Jiang will make a personal statement about his recent experiences and take questions from both English and Chinese media.
Date: Monday, February 9, 2009
Time: 11:00 a.m
Location: Upper Library
Massey College
4 Devonshire Place
Toronto,ON M5S 2E1
PEN Canada is the Canadian centre of International PEN, the writers’ organization with more than 140 centres in 110 countries worldwide. This year, PEN Canada celebrates 25 years of fighting for freedom of expression. For more information: http://www.pencanada.ca/
For media inquiries, and to confirm attendance, please contact:
Brendan de Caires
Programs & Communications Coordinator
PEN Canada 24 Ryerson Avenue, Suite 301
Toronto Canada M5T 2P3, T: 416 703 8448 ext 21 cell: 416 436 7740
Email: bdecaires@pencanada.ca
"...if we do not speak out now,there will be no one left to speak for those who cannot, whether they be ethnic minorities, the disadvantaged or the persecuted."
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