Urgent Action: CHINESE DIRECTOR ARRESTED FOR PROTEST FILM (China 37.24)

Chen Pinlin is the director of the documentary, ‘Urumqi Middle Road’ (乌鲁木齐中路), which captures scenes from the nationwide “White Paper Movement”, a series of peaceful protests against three years of rolling lockdowns under China’s zero-COVID policy and the harsh environment of censorship and surveillance in China. Chen uploaded the documentary to the Internet around the one-year anniversary of the White Paper Movement. He was arrested on January 5, 2024 and is being held in the Baoshan Detention Center in Shanghai on charges of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble”. Chen may face five years in prison if convicted.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: June 30, 2024

take action:

• Write a letter in your own words or using the sample below as a guide to one or both government officials listed. You can also email, fax, call or Tweet them.
• Click here to let us know the actions you took on Urgent Action 37.24. It’s important to report because we share the total number with the officials we are trying to persuade and the people we are trying to help.

contact information:

sample letter:

Dear Chief Procurator Chen, or Dear Ambassador,

In 2022-2023, Chen Pinlin (陈品霖), also known as Plato, created and released the documentary called ‘Urumqi Middle Road’ (乌鲁木齐中路). This documentary records a series of peaceful protests against three years of rolling lockdowns under China’s zero-COVID policy and the harsh environment of censorship and surveillance in China. 

I am writing to express my grave concern for Chen’s well-being. On January 5, 2024, police in Shanghai arrested him for “picking quarrels and provoking trouble”. Chen is currently being held in pre-trial detention at the Baoshan Detention Center in Shanghai. While in custody, Chen is at risk of torture and other ill-treatment, as well as violations of his due process rights.

Chen’s family has reportedly been harassed and intimidated by the police, which is also a common trend with cases of detained defenders in China. Since the White Paper Movement, several other participants or their families have been harassed and questioned by Chinese authorities.

Chen Pinlin is being detained solely for the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression. Therefore, I urge you to release Chen Pinlin immediately and unconditionally. Pending his release, I urge you to ensure he is not subjected to torture and other ill-treatment. Finally, I urge you to stop threatening, harassing, and arresting Chen’s family, other individuals associated with the White Paper Movement, and anyone who peacefully exercises their rights to freedom of expression and association. 

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]

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