United Nations: Report of the Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in China [Excerpt]
Theo van Boven
30 March 2005 Introduction 1. This addendum to the report of the Special Rapporteur contains, on a
country-by-country basis, summaries of reliable and credible allegations of
torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment that were
brought to the attention of the Special Rapporteur, and were transmitted to the
Governments concerned. It also contains replies from Governments. This addendum
does not illustrate the state of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment throughout the world, but rather reflects the state of
information brought to the attention of the Special Rapporteur. 2. The Special Rapporteur would like to recall that in transmitting these
allegations to Governments, he does not make any judgement concerning the merits
of the cases, nor does he support the opinion and activities of the persons on
behalf of whom he intervenes. The prohibition of torture and other cruel,
inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment is a non-derogable right, and every
human being is legally and morally entitled to protection. When the Special
Rapporteur receives reliable and credible information that gives grounds to fear
that a person may be at risk of torture or other forms of ill-treatment, he may
transmit an urgent appeal to the Government concerned. The communications sent
by the Special Rapporteur have a humanitarian and preventive purpose, and do not
require the exhaustion of domestic remedies. Governments are requested to
clarify the substance of the allegations, take steps to protect the person's
rights, and are urged to investigate the allegations and prosecute and impose
appropriate sanctions on any persons guilty of torture and other cruel, inhuman
or degrading treatment or punishment. 3. Observations by the Special Rapporteur have also been included where
applicable. Such observations, which sometimes note the most recent findings of
other supervisory bodies, in particular United Nations treaty bodies, are
usually made when the information suggests that there may be a problem extending
beyond the exceptional or isolated incident. References to press statements of
the Special Rapporteur are also cited. 4. During the period under review, i.e. from 16 December 2003 to 30 November
2004, the Special Rapporteur sent 223 letters*
to 77 Governments. The Special Rapporteur also sent 330 urgent appeals*
to 72 Governments on behalf of individuals for whom fears had been expressed
that they might be at risk of torture and other forms of ill-treatment.
Government responses received up to 31 December 2004 have been included. The
responses received after that date will be duly reflected in the addendum to the
report of the sixty-second session of the Commission. 5. The Special Rapporteur appreciates the timely responses received from
Governments to the letters and urgent appeals transmitted. He regrets that many
Governments fail to respond, or do so selectively, and that responses to older
cases remain outstanding in large part. 6. Owing to restrictions on the length of documents, the Special Rapporteur
has been obliged to reduce considerably details of communications sent and
received; attention is given to information specifically relating to the
allegations of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment. As a result, requests from Governments to publish their replies in
their totality could not be acceded to. SUMMARY OF CASES TRANSMITTED China 226. By letter dated 10 June 2004, sent jointly with the Special Rapporteur
on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography and the
Special Rapporteur on violence against women, the Special Rapporteur notified
the Government that he had received allegations concerning Z. Y., age 4.
On 1 January 2004, she was taken from her home in Zitong Town, Tongnan County,
Chongqing City, by four police officers from the Tongnan County National
Security Team (one of whom is known to the Special Rapporteurs). Both of her
parents had been arrested previously because they are practitioners of Falun
Gong. In February 2002, her father, Zhang Hongxu was sent to Xishanping Labor
Camp, where he was tortured, and suffered a broken nose, missing teeth, and
injured ribs. He is now detained at an undisclosed location. On 23 December
2003, Z. her mother, Wu Yongmei, was detained and tortured. She was released
after being on a hunger strike for 54 days. Upon release, she began to search
for her daughter and her current whereabouts are unknown. 227. By letter dated 8 July 2004, sent jointly with the Special Rapporteur on
the right to freedom of opinion and expression and the Special Rapporteur on
extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, the Special Rapporteur notified
the Government that he had received allegations concerning: 228. Sun Yanqing, an employee of the Mechanical Maintenance Facility,
Xuanhua District Steel Works, Zhanjiakou City, Hebei Province. In 2000, she was
arrested in Beijing when she went to appeal for an end to the persecution of
Falun Gong. Her condition became critical after she was tortured. She was sent
back to her home town where she was hospitalized and died a few days later. 229. Chen Aizhong, age 33, Beixinbao Town, Huailai County, Zhangjiakou
City, Hebei Province. On 20 July 1999, Mr. Chen, together with his family, went
to Beijing to appeal for an end to the persecution of Falun Gong. On 12
September 2000, he was arrested and sent to the Sixth Brigade of Hehuakeng Labor
Camp, Tangshan City, where he was tortured. He died on 20 September 2000. 230. Zhu Yourong, a Falun Gong practitioner, Xuanhua District,
Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province. She was tortured at the Women's Second
Brigade, First Forced Labor Camp, Hebei Province. She died at the camp on 16
December 2000. 231. Fan Yaxiong, age 42, Chairwoman for Teaching and Guidance, High
School No. 15, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province. In May 2000, she was arrested
in Beijing while demonstrating against the persecution of Falun Gong. Officials
of the Zhangjiakou 610 Office (the agency specifically created to
persecute Falun Gong practitioners) sent her to the Shalingzi Mental Hospital
where she was injected with nerve-damaging drugs. In June 2000, she was
sentenced to three years of forced labor education and was tortured at the
Tangshan Forced Labor Camp. She was released at the end of 2000 and died at home
shortly afterwards. 232. Zhang Zhigen, age 53, a Falun Gong practitioner, and working in
the Zhangjiakou Embroidery Factory, Zhanjiakou City. In April 2000, she was
arrested when she went to Beijing to appeal for an end to the persecution of
Falun Gong. She was detained by the "610 Office" deputies at the
Xuanhua District Detention Centre, Zhanjiakou City, for 17 days where she was
tortured. One of her legs became infected and had to be amputated. On 6 October
2000, she went to Beijing and was re-arrested. She was transferred to the
Shisanli Zhangjiakou City Detention Centre and tortured for nine days. She was
released and died on 25 February 2001. 233. Jiang Shuhua, age 50, a Falun Gong practitioner, Shihuiyao
village, Yangtian Township, Chicheng County, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province.
On 8 February 2002, she was arrested by the police, and died on 3 March 2002 in
police custody. 234. Shen Lizhi, age 33, Shenyang City, and his wife Luo Fang,
Leshan City, Sichuan Province. On 1 February 2002, they were arrested on Bus No.
75 by police officers from Yingmenkou Police Station, Chengdu City. The police
claimed that at the time of their arrest the two persons had in their possession
materials relating to the persecution of Falun Gong. They were detained at the
Chengdu Detention Centre. Shen Lizhi was tortured after his arrest and died on
the afternoon of 3 March 2002 at Qingyang District People's Hospital. The police
notified his parents one year later, on 3 March 2003. Luo Fang was eight months
pregnant at the time of her arrest, and an official of the "610
Office" forced her to have an abortion. On 8 May 2002, she was released but
was arrested again on 5 December. She was tortured and sentenced to 12 years in
prison. Since August 2003, she has been held at the Chuanxi Prison, Hongan Town,
Longquan, Chengdu City. 235. Liu Haibo, a 34 year-old Falun Gong practitioner, and a doctor at
the Luyuan District Hospital, Changchun City, Jilin Province. On 11 March 2002,
police from the Kuancheng District Police Station in Changchun City abducted him
from his home and tortured him to death. He died at the 120 Emergency Centre, on
12 March 2002. 236. Liu Yuqing, age 40, Wanghua district, Fushun City, Liaoning
Province. She went to Beijing to appeal to the Government to stop the
persecution of Falun Gong, and on 21 December 2000, she was arrested, detained
and tortured. After she was released, on 15 February 2001, three police officers
from the Putun Police Station, Wanghua district, dragged her down from the third
floor of her work unit and took her to the police station. She was then sent to
the Fushun City Detention Centre, and 2 weeks later she was transferred to the
Wujiabao Labor Camp, Fushun City, where she was tortured again. She was taken
home by her family on 11 April 2001 where she died on 13 April 2002. 237. Song Cuiling, age 52, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province. On 5 May
2002, she was arrested at Tiananmen Square while she was appealing for an end to
the persecution of Falun Gong. She was sent to the Zhangjiakou Detention Centre
where she was subjected to torture. She went on a hunger strike to protest the
persecution and was tortured to death on 20 May 2002. 238. Yin Ling, age 34, No. 597 Farm, Baoqing County, Heilongjiang
Province. On 28 December 2001, the Chief of the No. 597 Farm Police Station and
several other policemen took her away. She was sentenced to three years of
forced labor in the Jiamusi City Labor Camp. She began a hunger strike on 28
October 2002 to protest the detention. She was force-fed for a long time,
tortured and handcuffed to her bed all day. Her family was instructed to take
her home on 13 November 2002 and she died soon afterwards. 239. Xue Xia, age 33, Jiejiatun village, Xingtai City, Hebei Province.
On 1 January 2000, she went to Beijing to appeal to the Government to stop the
persecution against Falun Gong, was arrested and sentenced to three years of
forced labor at Shijiazhuang Labor Camp. She was beaten in detention and
force-fed unknown drugs. She was released in May 2001 on medical bail as she was
on the verge of death. O n 27 September 2002 she was brought back to the labor
camp, along with her mother, for questioning. On 4 January 2003 she was sent to
Xingtai City for medical treatment and died on 21 February 2003. 240. Chen Hongping, a 32-year-old Falun Gong practitioner, Huailai
County, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province. In 2001, she was arrested and beaten,
along with her sister by the Donghuayuan police. She was sent to the Gaoyang
Labor Camp, subjected to further torture, as well as round-the-clock
brainwashing against her belief in Falun Gong. She died on 5 March 2003 upon her
release. 241. Yu Yongquan, age 45, employee of the Daqung City No. 2 Rice Mill,
Daqing City, Heilongjiang Province. On 11 May 2002, he was arrested by police
from the Ranghulu District Police Station and Chuangxin Police Station and sent
to the Ranghulu District Detention Centre. He was charged with making Falun Gong
materials, and was sentenced to 10 years in jail on 22 September 2002 by the
Ranghulu District Court. He was detained in the Hongweixing Jail, Daqing City,
where he was tortured. On 8 March 2003, he was sent to the prison hospital for
emergency treatment and died the same day. 242. Chen Xiangrui, a 29-year-old Falun Gong practitioner, Hengyang
City, Hunan Province. On 11 March 2003, a group of policemen led by the head of
the National Security Team, Hengyang City Police Station, entered his home, beat
and kicked him, dragged him out of the house and into a police van. He was
subjected to torture in the police station. He was sent to a hospital the next
morning and died soon afterwards. The autopsy revealed that his internal organs
had been damaged as a result of the beatings. 243. Gao Shuhua, age 49, Weicheng district, Weifang City, Shandong
Province. On 14 March 2003, she was arrested while distributing materials about
the persecution of Falun Gong. She was detained in the Weicheng Detention Centre
for 13 days. During this time she went on a hunger strike to protest her
imprisonment and was force-fed by guards. She died on 26 March 2003. 244. Li Jianhou, a 67-year-old Falun Gong practitioner, Nanchong City,
Sichuan Province. She was tortured to death on 27 March 2003 in the Deyang
Prison, Sichuan Province. 245. Li Ying, Wanghua district, Fushun City, Liaoning Province. On 31
March 2003, she was arrested by police from the Public Security Bureau, Wanghua
district, and the local police station. She was taken to the No.1 Division of
the Fushun City Public Security Bureau, where she was tortured. She died on 2
April 2003. 246. Zhao Chunying, a 56-year-old Falun Gong practitioner, Jixi City,
Heilongjiang Province. On 15 April 2003, she was arrested and sent to the Jixi
City No. 2 Detention Centre. On 10 May 2003, her family was notified of her
death. Two autopsies were carried out and signs of torture were found. Her
family tried by different means to bring the perpetrators to justice in the past
few months but without any results. 247. Yang Yufang, a 47-year-old Falun Gong practitioner, Dongyaozi
village, Qiaoxi district, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province. On 17 May 2003, she
was arrested and detained at the Shisanli Detention Centre, Zhangjiakou City,
where she was tortured. She died on 16 June 2003. 248. Sui Guangxi and his wife, both Falun Gong practitioners,
Xiangyangling village, Niuxibu Township, Laixi City, Shandong Province. On 17
September 2002, they were dragged into a police van and taken to the Sanjiaocun
Elementary School where they were held for four days before they were
transferred to the Xinzhuang "610 Office", Laixi City. They were
forced to listen to daily broadcasts against Falun Gong. As Sui Guangxi refused
to cooperate, the police subjected him to various forms of torture. He escaped
20 days later and died on 4 July 2003 in the Pingdu First People's Hospital. 249. Cao Ping, age 40, Caojiaba, Jiulong Town, Linshui County, Sichuan
Province. In May 2001, he was arrested while distributing Falun Gong flyers and
was detained at the Linshui County Detention Centre. He was beaten by officers
from Linshui County Police Station and from Chengbei Police Station. He was
sentenced to four years in Deyang Jail, Sichuan Province. He was beaten and
tortured, as a result of which his internal organs were damaged. He was sent to
a hospital and diagnosed as "untreatable". The authorities ordered his
family to take him home on 27 May 2003 and he died on 17 July 2003. 250. Bai Xiaojun, age 35, a professor at the Northeast Normal
University, Jilin Province. He was sent to a labor camp in Chaoyanggou because
he had gone to Beijing to appeal for an end to the persecution of Falun Gong. He
was beaten to death while in custody and died on 18 July 2003. 251. Tan Chengqiang, Hongcheng village, Handian Town, Shuangcheng
City, Heilongjiang Province. On 18 May 2003, he was arrested by the "610
Office" in Shuangcheng City, and held in the Second Detention Centre,
Shuangcheng City. He went on a hunger strike to protest his detention, was
force-fed, and was subsequently transferred to a hospital. The "610
Office" ordered his family to take him home where he died on the evening of
19 July 2003. 252. Tian Junlong, age 45, Majiatun, Wuyi Township, Yitong County,
Jilin Province. In the late 2002, he was arrested and sent to the Weizigou Labor
Camp for having distributed materials on the persecution of Falun Gong. He was
transferred three months later to the Chaoyanggou Labor Camp, Changchun City.
Mr. Tian was tortured in both places, and sent home on 1 September 2003 because
his condition deteriorated. He died on 21 September 2003. 253. Lu Bingshen, age 39, Caikulou area, Ranghulu District, Daqing
City, Heilongjiang Province. In October 2000, he was arrested by the police
while he was distributing material about the persecution of Falun. He was
sentenced to two years' imprisonment and sent to the Daqing City Labor Camp. On
the afternoon of 20 October 2003, he was tortured until he became unconscious.
He was then sent to the Daqing City People's Hospital for emergency treatment
where he died on 21 October 2003. 254. Yan Hai, a 37-year-old farmer and Falun Gong practitioner, Tumu
village, Tumu Township, Huailai County, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province. On 30
October 2002, he was arrested at his home by policemen from Langshan Police
Station for practicing Falun Gong. He was subjected to various types of
psychological and physical torture at the Huailai County Detention Centre,
including brainwashing in an attempt to force him to give up his practice of
Falun Gong. On 14 November 2003, he was transferred to the Shisanli Detention
Centre in poor condition. On 22 November 2003, he was sent to the 251 Hospital
where he died on 24 November 2003. On 27 November, his family went to the
hospital to view his body; more than 10 policemen were standing guard and did
not leave the family alone with the body. 255. Zhang Changming, age 50, a Falun Gong practitioner, Shuangyashan
City, Heilongjiang Province. He was arrested and sent to the Jiamusi Labor Camp
in Heilongjiang Province where he was beaten to the point of death. He was taken
to a hospital for emergency treatment but doctors refused to treat him. Mr.
Zhang was sent back to his home where he died as soon as he arrived. 256. By letter dated 15 October 2004, sent jointly with the Special
Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, the Special
Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, the Special Rapporteur on the
independence of judges and lawyers, the Special Rapporteur on the right to
freedom of opinion and expression, the Special Rapporteur on the right to health
and the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, the Special Rapporteur
expressed concern at reports of systemic repression against the Falun Gong. Over
the past five years, hundreds of cases of alleged violations of the human rights
of Falun Gong practitioners have been brought to the attention of the Special
Rapporteurs. Many of these allegations have been reported back to the Chinese
authorities and are reflected in reports of the Special Rapporteurs to the
Commission on Human Rights. The Special Rapporteurs are concerned that reports
of arrest, detention, ill-treatment, torture, denial of adequate medical
treatment, sexual violence, deaths, and unfair trial of Falun Gong
practitioners, are increasing. They are concerned that these allegations may
reflect a deliberate and institutionalized policy of the authorities to target
specific groups such as the Falun Gong. According to information received, on 10
June 1999 the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party established an
office for dealing with the Falun Gong, commonly referred to as the "610
office" (for the date of its establishment), and officially later as the
State Council Office for the Prevention and Handling of Cults. This institution
reportedly was given a mandate to repress Falun Gong and other "heretical
organizations", and is operating outside of the rule of law. Reports
indicate that the Falun Gong was officially banned on 22 July 1999 through a
decision of the Ministry of Civil Affairs and since then several decisions,
notices, regulations and other judicial interpretations have been issued by the
government and judicial authorities to legitimize the official repression
against "heretical organizations", including the Falun Gong. In
addition, according to reports a media campaign was launched against the Falun
Gong and Falun Gong practitioners in June 1999. It is believed that this
campaign followed a protest gathering in Beijing on 25 April 1999, involving
more than 10,000 Falun Gong practitioners. Further reports indicate that in
February 2001, the Central Committee of the Communist Party called for a Central
Work Conference of high-level party officials. The purpose of this meeting was
reportedly to adopt a plan calling for the formation of local "anti-cult
task forces" in all universities, state enterprises and social
organizations, to reinforce the "6-10 Office" and strengthen local
control over the Falun Gong. An analysis of reports received by the Special
Rapporteurs indicates that the alleged human rights violations against Falun
Gong practitioners, including systematic arrest and detention, are part of a
pattern of repression against members of this group. Most of those arrested are
reportedly heavily fined and released, but many are detained and ill-treated in
order to force them to formally renounce Falun Gong. Those who refuse are sent
to "re-education through labor" camps, where reportedly torture is
used routinely resulting in many deaths. The Special Rapporteurs are further
concerned by reports that few Falun Gong practitioners are prosecuted. When
charges are laid they reportedly include allegations such as "disturbing
social order", "assembling to disrupt public order",
"stealing or leaking state secrets" or "using a heretical
organization to undermine the implementation of the law". According to the
information received, those prosecuted have been unfairly tried and many have
received lengthy prison sentences. In this respect it is reported that on 5
November 1999, a Notice issued by the Supreme People's Court instructed all
local courts to do their "'political duty"' in bringing to trial and
punishing "severely" those charged with "heretical organizations
crimes", "particularly Falun Gong", and to handle these cases
"under the leadership of the Party committees". 257. By letter dated 26 November 2004, sent jointly with the Special
Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, and the Special
Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, the Special Rapporteur notified the
Government that he had received allegations concerning Ms. Jiang Zongxiu,
age 34, Tongzi county, Guizhou province. On 17 June 2004, she was arrested while
she and her mother-in-law were distributing some Christian texts and Bibles in a
local market place. Both of them were sentenced to 15 days administrative
detention for their suspected activities of "spreading rumors and
disturbing the social order." On 18 June around 2 p.m., at the Public
Security Bureau, Tongzi County, she was beaten to death during an interrogation.
No steps have been taken to investigate the case. An autopsy result issued by
the local government claimed that Ms. Jiang died of heart failure. 258. By letter dated 30 November 2004, the Special Rapporteur notified the
Government that he had received allegations concerning Zhang Peiqi,
Mingyue Township, Antu County, Jilin Province. On 20 March 2004, he was arrested
and detained by policemen of the Antu County police station because he practices
Falun Gong. He was taken to Haigou Police Station by several policemen (whose
names are known to the Special Rapporteur) and tortured for seven days. He was
subjected to the tiger bench; his hands and feet were shackled, and
he was beaten with hard plastic pipes, as well as a plastic baton, on his head
feet and legs; and his hair was pulled. Urgent appeals 259. On 8 January 2004, the Special Rapporteur sent a joint urgent appeal
with the Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression,
and the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, regarding Cui Suzhen,
age 61, Shenze County, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province. According to the
allegations received, she was detained in the Shijiazhuang Labor Camp because
she practices Falun Gong. On 8 April 2001, she was transferred to the Gaoyang
Labor Camp, Hebei Province. She went on a hunger strike to protest the treatment
received, and was force-fed human excrement on three separate occasions, and
afterwards suffered from serious diarrhea. As a result, she was sent to the
Gaoyang County Hospital for emergency treatment. Upon being sent back to the
labor camp, she was continuously beaten by the guards, who are said to have
crushed her nipples, shocked her with electric batons simultaneously while
pouring water over her, used pliers to pinch her flesh, and buried her in snow
until she passed out. She is reported to be still detained in the labor camp. 261. On 4 February 2004, the Special Rapporteur sent a joint urgent appeal
with the Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression,
and the Special Rapporteur on the right to health, with respect to the following
allegations, to which the Government responded by letter dated 21 May 2004: 262. Tian Xianofei, age 40, Pingshan District, Liaoyang City, Liaoning
Province. He is serving a 10-year sentence in the Huazi Prison, Liaoyang City,
for being a Falun Gong practitioner, began a hunger strike on 20 July 2003. He
has recently been held in solitary confinement with two prisoners monitoring him
around the clock. While he is asleep, his hands are handcuffed to the bed. His
health is deteriorating from forced feedings and he has difficulty walking. He
is denied medical treatment, and will continue to be denied such treatment until
his internal organs malfunction or he renounces Falun Gong. He is not permitted
visits by his family. 264. Cao Jiguang, a 35-year-old employee of the Cotton and Linen
Company, Linshui County, Sichuan Province. He is serving a five-year sentence in
Guangyuan Jail, Sichuan Province, for being a Falun Gong practitioner. He is
detained in a small cell where five inmates are ordered to watch him throughout
the day. He is on the verge of death after beginning a hunger-strike to protest
against his alleged torture by the prison guards. On a previous hunger strike,
Cao Jiguang was force fed by the jail's doctor, who inserted a plastic tube into
his trachea and pulled it out repeatedly to hurt him. Before force-feeding him,
the guards opened his mouth with an instrument, which caused severe injuries
inside his mouth. After his hunger strike, the guards reduced his food by half. 266. On 4 February 2004, the Special Rapporteur sent a joint urgent appeal
with the Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression,
regarding Liu Xiaolian, age 64, Chibi Town, Chibi City, Hubei Province.
According to the allegations received, on 28 December 2003, she was arrested by
the local Chibi City police and her whereabouts are unknown. Ms. Xiaolian has
reportedly been detained on several occasions and subjected to torture and
ill-treatment for being a Falun Gong practitioner. 268. On 26 February 2004, the Special Rapporteur sent a joint urgent appeal
with the Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, and
the Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression,
regarding Sun Yuhua. According to the allegations received, on 14 January
2004 at about 2pm, she was arrested at her home because she practiced Falun Gong
by a group of policemen (whose names are known to the Rapporteurs) led by the
Chief of the Political Security Team of Hulan County Police Station. The
policemen took Ms. Sun to Hulan County Police Station, where officers (whose
names are known to the Rapporteurs) beat and tortured her. She was later sent to
Hulan County Second Detention Centre, where she went on a hunger strike to
protest her torture and detention. When she refused to give up her beliefs, she
was transferred to the Hulan County First Detention Centre, where she continued
her hunger strike, and was force-fed, causing her physical condition to become
critical. As a result of his public disclosure of the persecution of Falun Gong,
Ms. Sun's husband, Zhang Qingsheng, was detained at Hulan County First
Detention Centre. The police from Hulan County Police Station also arrested Ms. Sun's
daughter, an 18 year-old student at Hulan County College, on 14 January
2004. She was interrogated and tortured for four days, before being sent to
Harbin Second Detention Centre. 272. On 2 March 2004, the Special Rapporteur sent a joint urgent appeal with
the Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, the
Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, regarding
Li Dongqing, a Falun Gong practitioner. According to the allegations
received, she is detained at Dabei Women's Prison, Baixitaizi village, Pingluo
Town, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province. Li Dongqing, who suffers from hepatitis,
has been subjected to prolonged periods of solitary confinement, scolding,
beatings, and shocking with electric batons by guards, including during her
period of detention at the Masanjia Labor Camp. Currently, her body is swollen
and her state of mental health is said to be deteriorating. 273. On 15 March 2004, the Special Rapporteur sent a joint urgent appeal with
the Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, Special
Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Special Rapporteur
on torture and the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, regarding
Yiwen Tang, a 37-year-old Falun Gong practitioner, Zuhai suburb, Guangzhou
City, Guangdong Province. On 23 February 2004, she was taken from her home and
is currently detained for re-education at the Chutou Law School, Guangzhou
Baiyun district. On 10 March 2004 information was received that Yiwen Tang's
health condition is critical. She is said to have been on hunger strike for 17
days to protest her detention. The family have appealed to the police in
Guangzhou City to have an investigation into the legality of her detention and
are calling for her immediate release. Allegedly no action has been taken to
date. 276. On 30 April 2004, the Special Rapporteur sent a joint urgent appeal with
the Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, and the
Special Rapporteur on the right to health, regarding Gong Sheng Liang
(cited in a previously transmitted communication, E/CN.4/2004/56/Add.1, paras.
384 and 385). According to the allegations received, on 12 April 2004, his
relatives visited him in Hongshan Prison and found that he was unable to walk
and needed to be carried by four other inmates. It is reported that Gong Sheng
Liang said that he feared for his life and sought a transfer to another prison. 278. On 30 April 2004, the Special Rapporteur sent a joint urgent appeal with
the Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the
Special Rapporteur on the right to health, and the Special Rapporteur on
violence against women, regarding Liu Mei, a 36-year-old Falun Gong
practitioner, Donggang City, Liaoning Province. According to the allegations
received, she is held in Dabei Prison, Shenyang City. On 10 March 2004, a
relative who visited her reported that Liu Mei was carried to the visiting room
wearing a large gauze mask, and that she was extremely weak and thin. The guards
immediately stopped the meeting when she said that she was dying, and since then
no information on her situation has been available. 279. On 7 May 2004, the Special Rapporteur sent a joint urgent appeal with
the Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression,
regarding Huang Xiangwei, age 44, a high school music teacher, Harbin
City, Heilongjiang Province. He is held at Changlinzi Labor Camp. He undertook a
hunger strike to protest ill-treatment by the camp guards, as a result of which
he lapsed into a coma and was sent to the hospital for emergency treatment.
Since his admission to the camp's hospital around early April 2004, no
information has been available on his condition and he was not allowed any
visitors. 281. On 18 May 2004, the Special Rapporteur sent a joint urgent appeal with
the Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, Special
Rapporteur on right to freedom of opinion and expression, regarding Jin Jiang
and his wife, Wei Limei, Botou City, Hebei Province. According to the
allegations received, on 8 April 2004, they were arrested for giving
explanations about the persecution of Falun Gong in their restaurant. The couple
is detained at Botou Detention Centre, where they started a hunger strike to
protest their detention, and were force-fed as a consequence. When Jin Jiang did
not cooperate, the police beat him, broke his legs and two of his ribs, ruptured
his right eardrum and dislocated his jaw. Wei Limei was beaten and was covered
with bruises. They may be denied medical treatment. 285. On 15 July 2004, the Special Rapporteur sent a joint urgent appeal with
the Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the
Special Rapporteur on the right to health, and the Special Rapporteur on
violence against women, with respect to allegations received concerning: 286. Geng Juying, a Falun Gong practitioner, Luozhuang Hamlet, Chengbo
village, Mengzhou City, Henan Province. She is detained in Shibalihe Labor Camp.
In 2000, she was arrested at home and taken to a detention centre, together with
her eight month-old child, by the "610 Office", Mengzhou City, and
officers from Mengzhou City Police Station (whose names are known to the Special
Rapporteurs). On 25 May 2002, after Ms. Geng's release, police officers (whose
names are known to the Special Rapporteurs) took her to the police station,
without a warrant. Ms. Geng was again pregnant at the time. The police officers
forced her to have an abortion so that she could be sent to a labor camp. They
are said to have forcibly given her an injection to induce the abortion, watched
the procedure and mocked her when she was in pain. She was sent to a detention
centre in Jiaozuo City, Henan Province, and later to the Shibalihe Labor Camp
where she is still detained. Ms. Geng's father, Geng Xuecai, mother, Shen
Guangbai, elder sister, Geng Xiaocui, and brother, Geng Huaming,
have also been detained many times because they practice Falun Gong. 287. Ms. Chen Yaru, a 46-year-old Falun Gong practitioner, Xiaohaidi,
Hexi district, Tianjin City. Her current whereabouts are unknown. In April 2001,
she was taken from her home and sentenced to two years of forced labor at the
Tianjin City Jianxin Women's Forced Labor Camp, No. 3 Squadron, No. 6 Brigade,
where she was tortured. On 13 May 2002, Ms. Chen practiced Falun Gong exercises
in the labor camp and, as punishment, the camp police confined her to a small,
dark room where they beat her and trampled on her arms. She was chained
spread-eagled to her bed for 23 days. On 6 April 2003, Ms. Chen and another
Falun Gong practitioner tore down the anti-Falun Gong slogans posted inside the
Squadron. As a result, the guards dragged them into a room where they stripped
them down to their underclothes and tied up their hands. Then the guards dragged
them into the hallway and ordered them to kneel down. When they refused, six
policemen (including officers whose names are known to the Special Rapporteurs)
used six electric batons simultaneously on Ms. Chen. One policeman used the
electric baton on her genitalia for 20 minutes. Then they did the same to the
other female prisoner. Ms. Chen was shocked with electric batons all over her
body, to the point that her teeth became loose. For more than one month after
this, her right arm was paralyzed. 288. Ms. Yan Shujun. Her current whereabouts are unknown. In November
2000, she was arrested by the Tianjin City, Heping District Public Security
Bureau because she refused to give up Falun Gong, and taken to a police station
where she was slapped. She was sentenced to two-and-a-half years of forced labor
and detained at the No. 4 Brigade, Banqiao Women's Forced Labor Camp, Tianjin
City. On 1 June 2001, Ms. Yan was transferred to the Tianjin City Jianxin
Women's Forced Labor Camp, No. 3 Squadron, No. 6 Brigade. Because she refused to
renounce Falun Gong, the female camp guards deprived her of sleep, allowing her
as little as two hours of sleep per day. In protest, Ms. Yan went on a hunger
strike for 12 days. Subsequently, the camp extended her term of detention. On 1
April 2003 the No. 3 Squadron attempted to brainwash Ms. Yan. The camp
policewomen dragged Ms. Yan into a tiny, dark room and hit her all over her body
with electric batons. They exposed Ms. Yan's body in front of the camp's male
discipline instructors to demonstrate their electric baton torture. Then they
confined Ms. Yan to a 1.6 ft x 1 ft x 5 ft wooden cage where she was forced to
remain in a crouched position for eight days. Afterwards she had significant
muscular and skeletal problems. 289. Ms. Guo Baohua, in her 30s, Tonggu district, Tianjin City. Her
current whereabouts are unknown. In April 2001, Ms. Guo Baohua, was arrested by
the police who tied her up and beat her because she refused to read anti-Falun
Gong articles. They confined her to a wooden cage for more than one month. Ms.
Guo went on a hunger strike for 37 days to protest this treatment. During her
hunger strike she was handcuffed and tied up, and was put in solitary
confinement for more than one month. Police handcuffed her to a radiator, then
handcuffed her spread-eagled between two radiators. Later, the police handcuffed
her and suspended her by her wrists. On 1 April 2003, the police shocked Ms. Guo
with several electric batons simultaneously, and put her in a wooden cage for
several days. 290. Ms. Su Yanhua, Lianjiangkou, Jiamusi City, Heilongjiang Province.
She is detained in Jiamusi Labor Camp and her health is in critical condition.
On 15 April, 2002, she was arrested at her brother's house by local police
because she was a Falun Gong practitioner. She was sent to Lianjiangkou
Detention Centre and two weeks later transferred to the Jiamusi Labor Camp. Upon
her arrival at Jiamusi, she was tortured and forced to undergo brainwashing. In
July 2002, the labor camp guards forced her to sit on a small stool and watch
anti-Falun Gong videos. When she refused to watch, a guard (whose name is known
to the Special Rapporteurs) dragged her downstairs and handcuffed her to a bed.
She began a hunger strike to protest the treatment received, so the guards
force-fed her milk saturated with salt for seven days. In November 2002, guards
forced Ms. Su to sit on a stool with sharp triangular ridges across its surface
for more than 10 hours a day. They made her put both hands on her thighs and did
not allow her to move, causing the skin on her buttocks to tear and bleed. Each
time she moved, guards with electric batons shocked and beat her simultaneously.
When she refused to read an anti-Falun Gong article, they beat her again. At the
end of November 2002, because Ms. Su still refused to watch the videos, a guard
(whose name is known to the Special Rapporteurs) handcuffed her to a bed in an
asymmetrical position for two weeks. Ms. Su was not allowed to bathe for a long
time, and by February 2003, she had developed scabies. On one occasion, the
guards sprayed her with a chemical that caused her severe chest pains and
rendered her unable to move her head or hands. One morning in May 2003, when Ms.
Su began to practice Falun Gong exercises, two guards (whose names are known to
the Special Rapporteurs), rounded up some other inmates to beat her. They
dragged her to the second floor, where they forced her to sit on a cold cement
floor with her hands handcuffed behind her back for ten days. On the tenth day,
guards (whose names are known to the Special Rapporteurs) handcuffed her with
one arm reaching down behind the head and the other hand meeting it from the
lower back for 13 days. After her hands were released, she was unable to move
her arms and could barely walk. In June 2003, a guard (whose name is known to
the Special Rapporteurs) slapped her face so hard that she temporarily lost her
hearing. Ms. Su was not released after her term expired. 293. On 30 August 2004, the Special Rapporteur sent an urgent appeal,
concerning Gao Rongrong. According to the allegations received, she is
detained in Longshan Forced Labor Camp, Shenyang City. In May 2004 her face was
severely disfigured by an electric baton. She began to urinate blood and has not
been able to take food or water since 9 August 2004. Her eye sockets are
depressed, her eyelids cannot close, and she is emaciated. Doctors from No. 1
Hospital, an affiliate of China Medical University, Shenyang City, expressed
that her life is in danger, and have repeatedly issued "Terminally Ill
Notices". However, an official of the Shenyang City's Judicial Bureau
refused to release her, and allegedly stated, "If there is any danger, let
the hospital treat her. Don't allow her to go home even if she dies." 297. On 19 October 2004, the Special Rapporteur sent a joint urgent appeal
with the Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression,
regarding Falun Dafa practitioner, Zhao Yougang, age 32. According to the
allegations received, he is detained in Wuxi Prison where he is being subjected
to torture, following a hunger strike he began in June 2004 to protest his
ill-treatment. He reportedly weighs 35 kg and is being violently force-fed seven
to eight times every night by the prison guards. 301. On 26 October 2004, the Special Rapporteur sent a joint urgent appeal
with the Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression,
and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of
human rights defenders, regarding Zhang Bo, Ms. Wang Jie, and Cai
Shaojie, three Falun Gong practitioners, and Li Weiji. According to
the allegations received, Zhang Bo is detained at an unknown location, Wang Jie
and Cai Shaojie are detained in Dabei Prison, and Li Weiji is detained in Panjin
Prison. It is reported that the police broke both the arms of Li Weiji and
caused him a lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion. As a result of the treatment
suffered, he can hardly walk. Observations 386. On 16 June 2004, the Special Rapporteur issued a statement, concerning
the postponement of his visit to China. The 12-day visit, which was scheduled to
take place from the end of June 2004, was postponed at the request of the
Government, which cited the need for additional preparation time. http://www.clearwisdom.net/emh/article_images/torture_chn.pdf
Chinese version available at
http://minghui.org/mh/articles/2005/8/15/108429.html
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