Nine Chinese women who were planning a protest against sexual harassment on public transportation in Guangzhou for International Women’s Day have been illegally detained by police, four have been released but five are still there. Via the Guardian: “The remaining five reportedly planned to distribute stickers with slogans such as ‘Police: go arrest those who committed sexual harassment.'”
I know the Chinese government is horrible on human rights issues, but really? Simply planning to protest against street harassment can result in THEM getting arrested?
“No formal charges have been levied, but they were suspected of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble”, lawyers said, a charge authorities have used in the past to jail political dissidents. [IDnL3N0MG2B7]
The case has drawn criticism from international rights groups, the European Union and the United States
“We expect the Chinese authorities to release them without delay and to allow them immediate access to legal assistance and to their families,” a spokesman for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy said in a statement from Brussels.
The United States also called on China to release the five activists immediately.”
We join them in calling for their release. If you are outraged too, you can sign this letter. You can learn about the women being detained in this Feministing blog post and this Facebook page.
H/T @mcdersa
