(June 12, 2013) Beijing-based photojournalist Du Bin has been detained by Chinese state security officials after he disappeared following the release of his documentary on Chinese labour camp abuses — profiled here by Probe International last month. According to high-profile human rights activist Hu Jia, Du is likely being held because his work directly challenges the authorities: “They are suppressing him to send a message to others,” he says. Gillian Wong reports for the Associated Press.

By Gillian Wong, The Associated Press, published on June 12, 2013

In this May 1, 2013 photo released by Zeng Jinyan on Thursday, June 13, 2013, Beijing-based video and photojournalist Du Bin, right, poses for photos with Chinese activist Ye Haiyan outside the venue in Hong Kong where Du Bin first publicly screened his documentary. Du Bin’s sister Du Jirong said Thursday that an officer at the local You’anmen police station verbally informed her that Du Bin was being held at a detention center under state security orders. His detention is likely related to his work, said democracy activist Hu Jia, who said he’s been a close friend of Du’s for more than a decade. Du had recently completed a documentary exposing torture allegedly inflicted on detainees at a notorious labor camp in northeastern China as well as a 600-page book about the 1989 military crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Beijing, published in Hong Kong. (AP Photo/Zeng Jinyan).

BEIJING, China – Chinese state security officials have detained a journalist who recently disappeared after completing a documentary on labour camp abuses, the photographer’s sister and close friend said Thursday.

The detention of Beijing-based video and photojournalist Du Bin, 41, is likely related to his work, said democracy activist Hu Jia, who said he’s been a close friend of Du’s for more than a decade. Du had recently completed a documentary exposing torture allegedly inflicted on detainees at a notorious labour camp in northeastern China as well as a 600-page book about the 1989 military crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Beijing, published in Hong Kong.

Hu guessed from the timing of Du’s detention late last month that authorities were being particularly sensitive during the anniversary of the June 4, 1989, Tiananmen crackdown.

Read the full story at the publisher’s website here.

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