CNHRA EVENT RECORD · CNHRA-E-818867
Wang Dan: Second Detention, Eleven-Year Sentence and Departure for the US
Date
1995-05-21
Location
Beijing; later medical travel to the United States
Event Type
Detention · Trial · Sentencing · Medical Parole
Human Rights Issues
Freedom of Expression · Right to a Fair Trial
Record ID
CNHRA-E-818867
Summary
Description
Following parole in 1993, Wang continued writing and petitioning. He was detained on May 21, 1995, and placed under residential surveillance without outside contact. HRW’s report includes an English translation of the indictment dated October 7, 1996.[1]
The indictment concerned his writings, overseas assistance and dissident contacts. He received eleven years on October 30. On April 19, 1998, he traveled to the United States for medical evaluation and issued a hospital statement seeking release of other detained democracy activists.[1][2][3]
Wang later recalled maintaining contact with other movement participants, issuing open letters and assisting political prisoners between 1993 and 1995. In the second case, prosecutors included writing, contacts and financial assistance among their allegations.[4]
Developments
Detained again
Wang was detained again in Beijing, followed by a prolonged period without regular family contact.[1]
Placed under residential surveillance
The translated indictment in HRW’s report dates residential surveillance to May 22.[1]
Indictment dated
The Beijing indictment lists writings, assistance and contacts; its translation is included in HRW’s report appendix.[1]
Mother notified to retain counsel
HRW reports that Wang Lingyun is told the indictment is ready and given twenty-four hours to find defense counsel.[1]
Second sentence: eleven years
HRW’s later chronology records an eleven-year sentence on charges of conspiring to subvert the government.[2]
Arrival in US and hospital statement
Completes doctorate
He completed his doctorate at Harvard, researching Taiwan’s White Terror.[4]
Begins teaching in Taiwan
He moved to Taiwan to teach and continue his work in history.[4]
Returns to the United States
He returned to the United States after teaching in Taiwan and gave an interview in September about the student movement, imprisonment and life abroad.[4]
Related People
Organizations
No organizations have been added.
Documents
Sources
- [1]
CNHRA-S-809000Human Rights Watch
Evidence location: Sections II (Background), III (Due Process Violations), and VII Appendix I(a), indictment translation; formal arrest is October 4 in the body and October 3 in the appendix.
- [2]
CNHRA-S-380201Human Rights Watch
Evidence location: Entry headed April 19, 1998 — Wang Dan sent into exile.
- [3]
CNHRA-S-540981Human Rights Watch / Wang Dan
Evidence location: Publication date, editorial account of hospital evaluation and signed statement beginning Dear Friends.
- [4]
CNHRA-S-733830China Change
Evidence location: Interview of September 27, 2017: Harvard studies, teaching in Taiwan and return to the US.