This appeal concerns the arrest and detention, and in some instances disappearances, of 20 individuals in connection with their participation in peaceful assemblies or human rights campaigns in different parts of the country, protesting, inter alia, against alleged corruption among Government officials or calling on the State to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Many of them are believed to belong to, or be inspired by, the New Citizen Movement, a network of peaceful activists who reportedly call for transparency about the financial assets of top Chinese leaders, and promote political and legal reforms. According to the information received: The following individuals have reportedly disappeared: - Mr. Yang Tingjian was arrested in late May 2013 in Guangdong province, and has disappeared since. It is alleged that Mr. Yang had organised an event in which participants would share information about democracy and freedom via mobile phone on 4 June, which is the anniversary of the June 1989 pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen Square. Mr. Yang's whereabouts are currently unknown. - Mr. Zhang Fuying of Lianoning was arrested on 13 June 2013 in Beijing municipality, and has disappeared since. Sources indicate that Mr. Zhang had sought public disclosure of the financial assets of top Chinese leaders. There are further indications that Mr. Zhang may have been transferred to Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau, where officials have reportedly said he would "disappear forever". The following individuals have reportedly been criminally charged: Mr. Xu Zhiyong, legal advocate and founder of the NGO Open Constitution Initiative, has spearheaded the New Citizen's Movement. He was allegedly taken into custody on 16 July 2013 and was formally arrested on 22 August 2013. - Mr. Liu Yuandong, was taken into custody on 23 February 2013 outside the headquarters of the Southern Weekly where there had been a demonstration in support of press freedom. Mr. Liu had also been supporting activists in Guangzhou province, as well as engaging in human rights advocacy work. He was formally arrested on charges of "withdrawing contributed capital after incorporation of a company". He is detained at the Tianhe District Detention Center. There have been allegations that Mr. Liu has been subjected to illtreatment, including sleep deprivation, whilst in detention. - Ms. Ying Jixian of Zhejiang was apprehended on 18 May 2013 and charged with "gathering a crowd to disrupt public order". She was detained at the Xicheng District Detention Center, and released on bail on 26 July 2013, pending trial. - Mr. Deng Zhibo of Jilin was apprehended on 18 May 2013 and charged with "gathering a crowd to disrupt public order". He was detained at the Xicheng District Detention Center, and released on bail on 25 July 2013, pending trial. - Ms. Zhang Jixin was apprehended on 18 May 2013 and charged with "gathering a crowd to disrupt public order". She was detained at the Xicheng District Detention Center, and released on bail on 26 July 2013, pending trial. - Mr. Zhao Guanjun of Liaoning was apprehended on 18 May 2013 and charged with "gathering a crowd to disrupt public order" and "creating a disturbance". He was detained at the Fengtai District Detention Center, and released on bail on 26 July 2013, pending trial. - Ms. Zhu Pingping of Shanghai was apprehended on 18 May 2013 and charged with "gathering a crowd to disrupt public order" and "creating a disturbance". She was detained at the Fengtai District Detention Center, and released on bail on 26 July 2013, pending trial. - Mr. Xu Nailai of Tianjin and Mr. He Bin of Hubei were apprehended on 27 May2013 after they and other petitioners expressed their sympathy for hurricane victims in the US by gathering outside the US embassy with banners. They have been criminally detained since late June on charges of "creating disturbance". Both are in detention at The Chaoyang District Detention Center. - Mr. Gu Yimin was apprehended at his work place on 1 June 2013, and sources indicate that police simultaneously searched his home and confiscated his computer. He was formally arrested on 14 June 2013 on charges of "inciting subversion of State power" and is being detained at the Changshu City Detention Centre. He had allegedly posted photos of the 1989 Tiananmen Square prodemocracy protests online and had also refused to withdraw a petition to hold a gathering to mark the anniversary of the event. Sources indicate that Mr. Gu faced trial on 29 September 2013 at Changshu People's Intermediate Court. Although his family was allowed to attend the trial, it has been indicated to us that fellow pro-democracy campaigners were forbidden from doing so. - Mr. Zhao Zhenjia of Liaoning was apprehended on 9 June 2013 at the Beijing South railway station, and is currently being held at the Haidian District Detention Center on unknown charges. He had been working on the campaign for disclosure of public assets. It is alleged that he was held incommunicado for some weeks after his arrest. - Mr. Shen Guodong was apprehended on 5 July 2013, and was formally arrested on 6 August 2013 on charges of "gathering a crowd to disrupt public order". He is being detained at the Wuxi City No.1 Detention Center. - Mr. Yin Xijin was apprehended on 5 July 2013 and formally arrested on 6 August 2013 on charges of "gathering a crowd to disrupt public order". He is being detained at the Wuxi City No.1 Detention Center. - Mr. Song Ze was apprehended on 12 July 2013 and temporarily fell out of contact before being formally arrested on 16 August 2013 on charges of "gathering a crowd to disrupt public order". He is being detained at the Beijing No. 3 Detention Center. Mr. Song is reportedly involved in the New Citizen's Movement. - Mr. Guo Feixiong and Mr. Sun Desheng were detained on 8 and 13 August 2013, respectively, on suspicion of "gathering a crowd to disrupt public order" and have been detained since then at the Tianhe District Detention Center. On 27 August 2013, it is reported that officials refused Mr. Sun's lawyer's request to meet him, citing the need for permission from higher authorities. Mr. Sun and Mr. Guo have both participated in the New Citizen's movement and Mr. Sun has also sought the release of legal advocate Mr. Xu Zhiyong. - Mr. Zhou Weilin, apprehended on 6 September 2013 in Hefei, has been detained since on the charge of "gathering a crowd to disrupt order". Police simultaneously searched his home and confiscated his computers, cell phone and publications. He is being detained at the Feixi County Detention Center. Mr. Zhou had previously been detained for participating in the campaign for the right to education of Mr. Zhang Lin's daughter. - Mr. Yao Cheng was apprehended on 6 September 2013 and has been detained since. Neither Mr. Yao's place of or reason for detention are known. He had previously been detained for his role in the campaign for the right to education of Mr. Zhang Lin's daughter.