Detained activist Xu Zhiyong calls for 'courageous citizens to stand up' in secret video
Chinese activist Xu Zhiyong, in police custody since mid-July, has released a video message from his cell, calling on his compatriates "to be citizens" and "realise rights, obligations and dreams" laid down by the nation's constitution.
Chinese activist Xu Zhiyong, in police custody since mid-July, has released a video message from his cell, calling on his compatriates "to be citizens" and hold up the rights and obligations laid down by the nation's constitution.
"No matter how corrupted and absurd society is, this country needs some courageous citizens to stand up, stick to their faith and realise rights, obligations and dreams," said Xu, a prominent leader of the New Citizen Movement.
The video message appeared to have been recorded in secret on a phone on August 1 by someone visiting him in detention. Xu is seen wearing a orange jail vest and speaking from behind bars.
The 40-year-old law lecturer at Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications is one of the founders of the New Citizen Movement, which has called on Chinese officials to reveal their assets and respect citizen's constitutional rights.
Rights laid down in the Chinese constitution, such as the freedom of speech, press and assembly, are not enforced by Chinese courts.
