To Chen Yuming, Chinese Ambassador to Australia,
We write to you today in relation to Chinese artist Ai Weiwei.
As you may know Ai was detained on 3 April 2011 at Beijing airport by Chinese police. His studio was then sealed off and his staff and wife interrogated. All this occurred without any given reasons or charges lain.
When on 7 April the Chinese ministry announced that he had been arrested for alleged economic crimes no proof was given and no official charge made. His studio was then searched again and on 9 April his accountant, driver Zhang Jingsong and studio partner Liu Zhenggang disappeared. Ai Weiwei’s assistant Wen Tao has also been missing since Ai’s arrest on 3 April.
It has now been 78 days since the disappearance of Ai. May 9 was the date that Ai should have been released unless there is an official charge. No official notifications have been given regarding his whereabouts or reason for detainment.
The EU and US have protested Ai’s detention and the international arts community has rallied behind his cause. The international Council of Museums has collected more than 90,000 signatures and countless petitions have been organised.
We are deeply concerned about the kidnapping and disappearance of Ai Weiwei and his colleagues. We call on the Chinese government to carry out fair and open legal proceedings.
We believe the arrest of Ai Weiwei represents a watershed. His arrest came days after his twitter comments about the Jasmine revolution and the arrest of such a high profile figure in China spreads the concern of human rights, freedom of speech and artistic expression.
We the creative community of Australia as friends and neighbours of China call for the immediate release of Ai Weiwei.
Signed,
John Connell, Author and filmmaker (organiser) Jane Campion, filmmaker Warwick Thornton, filmmaker David Malouf, author Lisa Havilah, director Carriageworks John Maynard, filmmaker Chrissy Sharpe, director, the Wheeler Centre Bridget Iken, filmmaker Morry Schwartz, publisher Anna Schwartz, gallery Owner Beck Cole, filmmaker Delia Falconer, writer Natalie Wood, fashion designer Professor Stuart Rees AM, Director, Sydney Peace Foundation Duncan Graham, playwright William Yang, photographer Tony Ayers, filmmaker Jeff Sparrow, writer, editor Overland literary journal Tom Zubrycki, filmmaker Gabrielle Carey, author Antony Loewenstein, independent journalist and author Debra Adelaide, vice president PEN Sydney Kath Shelper, filmmaker Robyn Martin-Weber, art consultant Paola Morabito, filmmaker Wendy Bacon, professor and journalist at University of Technology, Sydney Jodie Passmore, filmmaker Ben Ferris, director Sydney Film School Annette Shun Wah, writer, actor, producer Dr. Nicholas Ng, composer Kevina Jo Smith, artist Benjamin Law, writer Mark Bradshaw, composer Professor Rónán McDonald, Australian Ireland Fund Chair of Modern Irish Studies Helen Bowden, producer Mark Wakely, author Xu Wang, artist Sarah John, theatre director Daniel Stricker, musician/label manager Helen Fitzgerald, art director Kirin J Callinan, musician Jenna Price, journalist and academic Danielle Zorbas, producer Billy Maynard, photographer Larin Sullivan, filmmaker Vivian Huynh, copywriter/musician Jack Jeweller, curator and writer Jiao Chen, filmmaker Chi Vu, writer director Tom Cho, author Benedict Andrews, theatre director Andrew Santamaria, musician and environmental engineer Tristan Ceddia, publisher Rebecca Conroy, director billandgeorge Hana Shimada, artist Jonathan Zawada, designer/artist Amelia Groom, author Robert Milne, publisher Matthew Hopkins, artist Charlie Sofo, artist Jeff Yiu, photgrapher Caterina Scardino, stylist Brami Jegan, activist Russell Smith, lecturer ANU Hugo O’Connor, producer Sam Bryant, filmmaker Dr Tseen Khoo, grant developer Cinnamon van Reyk, museum curator Brent Clough, broadcaster Dr Simone Lazaroo, writer and senior lecturer, Murdoch University Nicole Bearman, producer, cultural programs and events Rebecca Frith, actor Luke Bacon, composer Trischelle Roberts, musician Miska Mandic, musician Vincent Plush, composer, music critic and radio announcer (ABC Classic FM) John Eyley, lecturer in animation (Griffith Film School, Queensland College of Art) Neil Davey, president (Brisbane Spiritualist Church) Dr Stephen Wild, researcher and academic Denis French, museum copyright Jocelyn Wolfe, music researcher Lisa Cheney, composer Kerry Walker, actor Heather Phillips, filmaker and lecturer (Griffith Film School, Queensland College of Art) Dr Trish Fitzsimons, filmaker and lecturer (Griffith Film School, Queensland College of Art) Prof Herman Van Eyken, Head of School (Griffith Film School) Fern Ong, pianist and radio presenter (ABC Classic FM) Julian Day, composer and radio presenter (ABC Classic FM) Christina Andreef, creative
A protest event will be held at the Chinese Consulate in Sydney at 11am-2pm on Thursday 23 Jun. Event details are here.
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