Concerns at lack of medical provision for imprisoned writers

Reports have been received of lack of medical provision and in some cases denial of medical treatment for imprisoned writers in China. They include: **For background to cases, see IFEX alerts as noted in text** Chen Ziming, a publisher, sentenced to 13 years in prison for “counter-revolution” in February 1991 and held in Beijing No […]

Reports have been received of lack of medical provision and in
some cases denial of medical treatment for imprisoned writers in
China. They include:

**For background to cases, see IFEX alerts as noted in text**

Chen Ziming, a publisher, sentenced to 13 years in prison for
“counter-revolution” in February 1991 and held in Beijing No 2
Prison. There his health deteriorated due to poor conditions. He
was freed on medical bail on 14 May 1994 to receive treatment for
cancer. While free, he and his wife were kept under strict
surveillance. He continued, however, to criticize the government.
On 26 June 1995 he was rearrested and ordered to serve the
remainder of his sentence. Family say that they were told that the
reasons for his return to Beijing No 2 prison was that his health
had improved sufficiently. The family have since appealed to the
authorities, expressing strong concern over his state of health,
as doctors have reportedly stressed the need for frequent check-
ups and 24-hour care (see IFEX alerts of 22 August 1996, and 10
October and 27 June 1995).

Bao Tong, a writer, sentenced to seven years in prison in May 1989
for revealing secret plans for martial law. He was reported to be
suffering from thyroid and lymph node cancer in 1994 and said to
be very ill. Upon expiry of his sentence in May 1996, he was not
freed but placed under a form of house arrest, a condition of
which was that he should not meet with a doctor or lawyer (see
IFEX alert of 18 June 1996).

Xi Yang, a journalist, sentenced in March 1994 to 12 years in
prison for espionage for “stealing state secrets.” He is alleged
to be suffering from diarrhoea, heart palpitations, skin diseases
and chronic headaches and was reported in February 1996 to be
permanently deprived of natural light.

Zhou Guoqiang, a poet and lawyer, sentenced without charge or
trial to three years re-education through labour on 3 September
1994 for “anti-government activities.” He was reported in May 1996
to be suffering from heart and lung disease, possibly
tuberculosis, an abnormally high red and white blood cell count,
blood in his urine and intestinal infections. He is apparently
prevented from receiving professional treatment or medication. He
claims that his health is further endangered due to appalling
prison conditions and forced labour (see IFEX alert of 12 March
1996).

Wei Jingsheng, a leading dissident and editor, was detained for
fourteen years from 1979-1993. He is currently serving another
fourteen year sentence which expires in 2009 following his re-
arrest on 1 April 1994. There are concerns for his health which
poor prison conditions are alleged to have exacerbated. He claims
to suffer from pains in his joints and may have a heart disorder
(see IFEX alerts of 8 March 1996; 13 December, 21 November and 17
March 1995; and others).

Yu Dongyue, an art editor, was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment
and five years deprivation of civil rights on 11 July 1989. He was
arrested on 23 May 1996 for throwing paint-filled eggs and ink at
a portrait of Mao Tse-tung in Tiananmen Square, Beijing. He has
allegedly been tortured and is said to be suffering extreme
psychological disturbance as a result of poor prison conditions.

Zhang Yafei, a graduate of Qinghua University, was sentenced to 11
years in prison on 5 March 1991 for involvement with an
underground magazine. He was reported to be seriously ill in
prison in 1993 (see IFEX alert of 18 April 1996 and 24 May 1995).

Recommended Action

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Guowuyuan

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