Sakharov prize:
The Greens write to Nicolas Sarkozy in the hope that Hu Jia and his wife Zeng Jinyan will be able to receive the Sakharov Prize in person
Daniel Cohn-Bendit, Co-President of the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament and Sylvain Garel, Co-President of the Greens in the Council of Paris have written to Nicolas Sarkozy.
They ask him to reiterate his request as President of the European Council, to Chinese authorities to release Hu Jia and to give a passport to his wife Zeng Jinyan, so that they can receive together the European Parliament's Sakharov Prize, in the name of all the silenced voices of China and Tibet, in Strasbourg next December.
In the letter, they add that Hu Jia was made honorary citizen of the City of Paris and that this visit would be the occasion for him to receive this prize as well.
For the past 20 years, the European Parliament's Sakharov Prize honours individuals or groups that fight against oppression, intolerance or injustice.
The letter reads as follows:
Brussels, 30 October 2008
To the attention of:
M. Nicolas Sarkozy,
President of the French Republic
President of the European Council
Mr. President,
During your visit to Beijing for the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, you provided the Chinese authorities with a list of political prisoners detained in China, asking for their release.
Hu Jia, who was awarded the European Parliament's 2008 Sakharov Prize, was on this list. Following the decision, which illustrates the European Parliament's will to put human rights back at the heart of EU-China relations, we ask you, as President of the European Council, to reiterate your demand to Chinese authorities to release Hu Jia and to deliver a passport to his wife, Zeng Jinyan, so that they can both come and receive the Sakharov Prize in the European Parliament in Strasbourg next December, in the name of all silenced voices of China and Tibet.
Furthermore, Hu Jia was awarded the title of Honorary Citizen of the City of Paris by the Council of Paris, at the Greens' initiatives. This visit would be the occasion for him to receive this prize as well.
Securing Hu Jia's release and Zeng Jinyan's freedom of movement during the French Presidency would be a strong sign in favour of the defence of human rights.
We are counting of your support and your commitment towards rights and freedom in China.
Sincerely yours,
Sylvain GAREL Daniel Cohn-Bendit
Co-President of the Greens Group Co-President of the Greens/EFA
in the Council of Paris in the European Parliament
