PRESS RELEASE

HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS TO RELEASE NEW CONFIDENTIAL
DOCUMENT ISSUED BY CHINESE PUBLIC SECURITY BUREAU ORDERING MAJOR CRACKDOWN ON DISSENT UP UNTIL 2008 OLYMPICS

HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS TO RELEASE NEW CONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENT ISSUED BY CHINESE PUBLIC SECURITY BUREAU ORDERING MAJOR CRACKDOWN ON DISSENT UP UNTIL 2008 OLYMPICS

WASHINGTON, DC— Representatives of the Committee for Investigation on Persecution of Religion in China (CIPRC) will hold a joint press conference with the Free China Movement on Wednesday, May 1, at 12:00 noon in front of the Chinese Embassy at 2300 Connecticut Avenue in Washington, D.C. to release a newly acquired secret document issued by the Public Security Bureau (PSB) of Jilin Province that orders a severe crackdown on "illegal gatherings, assemblies and other activities" in order "to host a better and successful Olympics in 2008 in our country…."  The order was
sent to "every Public Security Bureau and People's Courts in every city, county (districts)" throughout the province.

The official document also details the specific categories of fines and sentences to be meted out to those arrested by the PSB for participating in the so-called "illegal gatherings." The document represents proof that a national campaign, ordered by the highest levels of the Chinese government, has been underway since May, 2000 to stamp out any possible dissent
leading up to 2008 Olympics Games in Beijing.

Members of the International Olympic Committee and American business predicted that the award of the Olympics Games to China would serve to open up Chinese society and improve human rights conditions there. Now the opposite appears to be true.

"According to this document, Chinese authorities are using the 2008 Olympics as a license to enlarge their already severe crackdown on dissent in China, including the persecution of Christians and other religious groups," stated Shixiong Li, chairman of the Committee for Investigation on Persecution of Religion in China. "This must not be tolerated by the
civilized world.  This blatant campaign of oppression must end."

"We ask that President Bush in his talks with Vice-President Hu Jintao voice his concern about the existence of this Public
Security Bureau document," stated Bob Fu, executive director of Committee for Investigation on
Persecution of Religion in China. "The President should not stand by idly while persecution is given free reign in China,
especially when it comes about as a result of the award of the 2008 Olympics."

The Committee for Investigation on Persecution of Religion in China recently published "Religion and National Security in China: Secret documents from China's security sector."                  
                            #30

COMMITTEE FOR INVESTIGATION ON PERSECUTION OF
RELIGION IN CHINA
P.O. BOX 610284, Bayside, NY 11361, USA
Tel: 202/361-0989 (For Mandarin contact: 718/358-5605)

Date: April 30, 2002
Contact: Timothy Cooper
Tel: 202/361-0989
Email: fxq02@yahoo.com