CCC PRESS RELEASE

(Amsterdam) The Clean Clothes Campaign calls on the Chinese government to ensure that a fair and open trial takes place in the important case involving Huang Qingnan of the Dagongzhe (DGZ) Migrant Worker Centre in Shenzhen. The trial is scheduled to begin tomorrow after an unprecedented delay.

Five suspects, including local businessman Zhong Wei Qi who owns several factories, have been detained since January 2008. On December 24, 2008 a hearing was finally scheduled at Longgang District Peoples Court. Some 60 supporters from Mainland China, Hong Kong and abroad came to the court to serve as observers in this important trial, but the room was too small to accommodate the supporters and the hearing was postponed. The court has recently announced that a hearing will take place tomorrow, Friday, January 16, 2009.

It is critical that justice prevails and that the perpetrators of the attack on Huang Qingnan are punished according to the law, said Paige Shipman, coordinator at the Clean Clothes Campaign. The Chinese government must show that it is committed to protecting civil society organisations from violence, enforcing the new labour law and maintaining harmonious labour relations.

The Clean Clothes Campaign works with over 250 partner organisations worldwide to improve working conditions and support empowerment of workers in the global garment industry. The Campaign has offices in 12 European countries.

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What happened before:Dec 2007, Call onChinese Authorities to Stop the Violence against Migrant Worker Centre

July 2008, DGZ Migrant Worker Centre Reopens Urgent Appeal Jan 15, 2009 - Fair and Open Trial Needed in Attack on Chinese Worker Advocate