AI Index: ASA 17/008/2005 Distrib: PG/SC

To: Health Professionals From: Health and Human Rights Team Date: 17 March 2005

MEDICAL ACTION : Ill-health and ill treatment of Gong Shengliang

Amnesty International (AI) is seriously concerned for the life and well being of Gong Shengliang, a Protestant pastor and leader of the banned "Huanan (South China) Church", who is imprisoned in Hongshan prison, Province. Gong Shengliang's latest health setbacks are compounded by the continual ill-treatment he has received since his imprisonment in 2001. During his imprisonment, Gong Shengliang has suffered continual ill-treatment. According to letters that he wrote in the first two weeks of December 2004, which have only recently been published on the internet, Gong Shengliang describes how he was suffering from a debilitating stomach complaint, and how he had been able to only take a little food and water for at least 11 days. Gong Shengliang had been treated at the prison hospital five times and on 6 December 2004 asked to be admitted to a hospital outside the prison. However, this request was refused by the prison authorities, who, on one occasion, threatened Gong Shengliang with what were described as "heavy-handed measures". The prison authorities later agreed to Gong Shengliang’s request and he then received treatment at a provincial hospital and an army hospital, following which he was diagnosed with a duodenal ulcer. Throughout this time, Gong Shengliang had been refused visits from his family. Background information Gong Shengliang was the subject of international medical concern in April 2004 when the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health, transmitted to the Chinese authorities a joint urgent appeal with the Chairman-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and the Special Rapporteur on torture, calling for prompt and adequate medical treatment for his deteriorating health.1 Gong Shengliang was also the subject of an Urgent Action in June 2003 (ASA 17/026/2003, 11 June 2003) in which AI expressed concern over reports that he had been subjected to torture and ill-treatment in prison, Hubei Province, where he was incarcerated at the time. Gong Shengliang and four others were originally sentenced to death in December 2001 in connection with their membership of the "Huanan (South China) Church", which was banned in April 2001 and he was sentenced on charges including "using an evil cult to

1 The appeal was sent 30 April 2004. See UN Document E/CN.4/2005/51/Add.1, p.4. undermine the implementation of the law". Amnesty International is concerned that the convictions were based on evidence obtained through torture. Three female defendants in the same case said they were tortured by police to make them confess to having had sexual relations with Gong Shengliang, who was also convicted of rape. They said they were shackled, whipped and kicked, and beaten on their chests with electro-shock batons. In October 2002, the death sentences were commuted to long prison terms, including life imprisonment for Gong Shengliang, after international pressure forced a retrial. However, concerns remain that the verdicts were still partly based on confessions obtained through torture. Recommendations Please write letters in English to the authorities below, using professionally-headed paper if you use this in your profession:

 introducing yourself in your professional capacity and/or as a member of Amnesty International;

 expressing concern at reports that Gong Shengliang, held in Hongshan prison, is seriously ill with a duodenal ulcer;

 urging the authorities to provide him with access to appropriate medical care including an investigation of, and treatment for this condition, and any other health concerns he may have;

 calling on the authorities to ensure that he will not be subjected to further ill-treatment

 expressing concern that Gong Shengliang’s conviction remains unsafe and calling on the authorities to conduct an immediate review of the evidence used to convict him.

 calling on the authorities to ensure that he has immediate access to members of their families and lawyers of his choice.

 invite a response to your letter (s).

Addresses Please send polite appeals written on professional headed paper in English, Chinese or your own language to: Governor of the Hubei Provincial People's Government LUO Qingquan Shengzhang Hubeisheng Renmin Zhengfu 1 Beihuanlu, Shuiguohu Wuchangqu Wuhanshi 430017 Hubeisheng People's Republic of China Salutation: Dear Governor

Director of the Hubei Provincial Department of Justice LU Dexi Tingzhang Hubeisheng Sifating 16 Hongshancelu, Shuiguohu, Wuchangqu Wuhanshi 430071 Hubeisheng People's Republic of China

2 Salutation: Dear Director

Copies of appeals

Please send copies of your letters to:

LIU Jianguo Secretarey General Hubei Province Bar Association 22 Hongshan Celu Wuchang City 430071 Hubei Province People's Republic of China Salutation: Dear Secretary General.

MU Mu Director Hubei Province Medical Association External Affairs Office 100 Dingziqiao Lu Wuhan City 430064 Hubei Province People's Republic of China Salutation: Dear Director.

Please also send copies of your appeals to diplomatic representatives of China accredited to your country.

If you receive no reply from the government or other recipients within eight weeks of dispatch of your letter, please send a follow-up letter seeking a response, referring to your previous letter(s). Please check with the medical team if you are sending appeals after 30 June 2005, and send copies of any replies you do receive to the International Secretariat (att: health and human rights team: [email protected]).

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