China: activista arrestado

In 1989 the army opened fire on unarmed demonstrators, killing hundreds. .

In China, a well-known AIDS activist, has been detained.

He was planning a commemoration of the 15th anniversary of the killings in Tiananmen Square.

On June 4 1989, the army opened fire on unarmed demonstrators, killing 100s.

This report from Louisa Lim in Beijing.

The AIDS activist, Hu Jia, hasn't been seen since Saturday morning, when he was taken away for questioning by police. His family say he sent text messages to friends telling them he'd been detained. Hu Jia is an outspoken advocate for people with HIV-AIDS; he's publicly criticised the authorities on their treatment of AIDS victims and other issues.

In an article written last month, he said the government should acknowledge that its killing of unarmed civilians in 1989 was a serious mistake. ¿That great weight on our hearts must be lifted¿, he wrote, ¿and justice must return¿. He laid out his plans to stage a vigil in Tiananmen Square on the night of June 3rd to remember those who died.

His detention comes a week after three female activists, who lost relatives in 1989, were held in custody for five days. It's a sign the authorities are moving early to head off trouble ahead of this sensitive anniversary. A new generation of leaders has come into power since the killings, but they've shown no sign of a change in stance and have defended the behaviour of their predecessors.

Louisa Lim, BBC, Beijing.

text messages
mensajes enviados por teléfono móvil

detained
arrestado

an outspoken advocate
alguien que habla abiertamente en representación o defensa de otros

acknowledge
reconocer, admitir

great weight on
pena, preocupación

to stage a vigil
organizar una vigilia

detention
arresto, encarcelamiento

held in custody
estar bajo custodia

to head off trouble
prevenir problemas o dificultades

stance
actitud