Five Chinese feminist activists remained in police custody yesterday after authorities detained at least 10 women’s rights proponents across the nation in the run-up to International Women’s Day, a Chinese activist said.
Activist Feng Yuan (馮媛) said the activists still in detention were Li Tingting (李婷婷), Wei Tingting (韋婷婷), Wang Man (王曼), Zheng Churan (鄭楚然) and Wu Rongrong (武嶸嶸), the founder and executive director of the Hangzhou-based rights group Women Center.
Feng said their lawyers have not been able to reach them since their detentions on Friday and Saturday.
Feng said the women had planned to observe International Women’s Day on Sunday by putting up leaflets about sexual harassment in Beijing, Hangzhou and Guangzhou.
Women Center board member Lu Jun said the activists have previously observed International Women’s Day with similar activities, but without government interference.
Public security was heightened around Beijing last week as the nation’s legislature began its much-watched annual session. On Saturday, the meetings included a news conference on gender equality and women’s rights issues in China.
Police officials in Beijing and Guangzhou did not respond to requests seeking comment.
“We are worried that they are still detained,” Feng said from New York. “We do not understand how this has to do with public safety.”
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