Petition Description:

Chinese protester Li Yuanjing could face a heavy sentence for joining a peaceful demonstration.

Li Yuanjing, an A4 Revolution protestor in China, has been detained over one month and probably face lengthy imprisonment after joining a peaceful vigil to protest the “zero-COVID” policy and demand freedom and human rights in her country.

We, current students and alumni of UNSW, plan to write UNSW an open letter, as shown below, to urge it stand with our alumna and uphold civil liberties for its community.

Sign this petition for UNSW to PUBLICLY SUPPORT Li Yuanjing NOW.
(You could sign your English name if you have any privacy/safety concerns.)
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An Open Letter to UNSW on Supporting its Detained Alumna Li Yuanjing

Dear Chancellor Gonski,

We, current students and alumni of the University of New South Wales, are writing to express our grave concern about the safety of the A4 Revolution protesters in China, and call on UNSW to support its alumna.

A4 Revolution—named after the size of printer paper held up at vigils—is a series of peaceful protests in China against its "zero-COVID" policy that call for freedom and human rights. It was sparked by a deadly fire in Xinjiang on 24 November 2022. A lockdown blocking escape and impeding rescue was largely responsible for the fire deaths. In response to this man-made tragedy, mass demonstrations broke out in major cities across China in November. People peacefully held blank sheets of white paper to mourn the fire victims, protest draconian restrictions, and demand civil liberties and human rights . The protests have forced the government to reverse its policy, earning Chinese people the lifting of the three-year lockdown and resuming their normal life.

However, Chinese authorities are rounding up protesters now. Many protestors have been taken away by the police on suspicion of "gathering to disrupt public order." Some have even been deprived of their rights to access official legal documents or see their lawyers. Although a few have been released on bail, the majority of them have been formally arrested, still held in detention and possibly facing heavy sentences. The trend of repression continues at the time of writing. Such acts of crackdown are shockingly flagrant and unacceptable.

Li Yuanjing, an alumna of UNSW, is among those still detained. She graduated with a master’s degree in Professional Accounting in 2019. After graduation, she went back to China for work.She was taken away from her residence in Beijing on 18 December for
taking part in a peaceful demonstration. So far, she has been detained for over one month and formally arrested. Days ago, her suspected charge of "gathering to disrupt public order" escalated into "picking quarrels and provoking trouble", a "catch-all" crime commonly used by Chinese authorities to stigmatize and quash dissent. Given the government's longstanding repression of free speech and political opposition, she is highly likely to face baseless charges and even lengthy jail. We are deeply concerned for her safety.

Nobody should be detained simply for participating in peaceful assemblies or advocating human rights. As Martin Luther King said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." We believe that freedom and human rights belong to all humanity, and we must protect each other's to keep ours intact. When any member of the UNSW community loses her freedom just for expressing her opinions, UNSW must stand in solidarity with her to uphold civil liberties for its entire community. The University of Chicago issued a public statement days ago in support of its alumna Qin Ziyi, another detained protester, and she was released on bail less than one day after its announcement. UNSW's speaking out would further raise international awareness and pressure, making the detainees safer and closer to freedom. Thus, we urge UNSW to voice its support for our courageous alumna Yuanjing and all the other detained protesters. Below are some actions the university could take.

1. Make a public statement in support of Li Yuanjing and all the other detained protesters (Here is the University of Chicago's statement for reference: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Statement-on-Recent-Blank-Paper-Protests-in-China.html?soid=1125351042727&aid=8lgd3aMEPF0);
2. Urge the Embassy of China in Sydney publicly disclose their whereabouts;
3. Call on Chinese authorities to release them immediately and unconditionally.
We would immensely appreciate it if the university could act without delay. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Thank you so much for your time and consideration. 

Yours sincerely,
[Names of signatories]