Copyright 2005 South China Morning Post Ltd.  
South China Morning Post

August 31, 2005

HEADLINE: Activist Group Shut Before Envoy's Visit

Police yesterday shut down the office of a human rights group that was raided on Monday ahead of a visit to Beijing by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour, according to the group.

Hou Wenzhuo , of the Empowerment and Rights Institute in Beijing , said last night police had shut down the office while at least one staff member was known to be still inside.

At the same time, police surrounded Ms Hou's home, virtually putting the 35 -year-old activist under house arrest.

During Monday's raid, police searched computers and copied telephone and e -mail contacts, according to Ms Hou. She said police yesterday demanded that all visitors to her office register with public security officials.

Ms Hou maintained the raid was linked to the visit of Ms Arbour, who gave a speech at a conference and met senior officials yesterday in Beijing.

Ms Hou founded the institute less than two years ago after studying law at Harvard and Oxford universities. The institute has been active in helping farmers fight for their rights in illegal land seizures.

Ms Hou has been detained by police in Guangdong several times this year after advising farmers to organise protests. She said she was threatened with detention if she did not leave Guangdong.

The activist has been trying to arrange a meeting to present Ms Arbour with evidence of human rights abuses collected by the group, but has not received a response from the UN official.

Ms Hou was invited to a UN conference in Geneva in March, and although she was able to go, an American volunteer at her office was later taken away by police.

The volunteer was released after intervention by the US embassy.

Ms Hou said she was surprised by the raid at her office, rejecting suggestions the institute ran into trouble because it has accepted funding from the US.

"I think I am mild and I am not confrontational to the government," Ms Hou said.

"I accept funding that is legal and public," she added.

Police often round up political dissidents ahead of visits by western government leaders.

It was reported that police were also keeping an eye on prominent dissidents Liu Xiaobo and Zhang Zuhua

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