GOOD NEWS! A courageous woman is free thanks to the hard work of Amnesty International supporters!
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An outspoken human rights defender in China, Mao Hengfeng, was just released from her “Re-education Through Labour” prison term to serve the rest of her time at home, with her family. This fantastic news is what makes all our determined human rights work worthwhile!
The torture stops. Her forced labour has ended. And today Mao, who suffered ill-health during her lengthy detention, has been re-united with her children, thanks to the massive worldwide effort of Amnesty International members.
Mao’s husband Wu Xuewei believes she is now home as a result of the international and domestic calls for her release. Mao Hengfeng has asked us to thank everyone who has written letters for her and campaigned on her behalf.
Mao Hengfeng’s ordeal is over, but her work continues. She was arrested for speaking out against the detention of Nobel Prize winner, Liu Xiaobo, and has been an outspoken defender of women’s reproductive rights and of the rights of the millions of Chinese who have faced forced evictions. These are very unpopular opinions to voice in China.
Please join Amnesty’s effort to ensure that she is is not detained again and that we can carry out the human rights work that she started by making a financial gift to Amnesty International, or by joining us a sustaining monthly donor.
Mao paid dearly for her courage in speaking out for human rights. But you and I can exercise our freedom without risk of being detained, separated from our families, or being forced into manual labour.
We couldn’t have achieved this tremendous victory without the support of so many Amnesty International supporters. Thank you to all Amnesty International members!
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We need your help to defend prominent, respected human rights defenders who remain wrongfully detained in China for their efforts to improve human rights.
Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo
Serving an 11-year sentence for “inciting subversion of state power”. It was in speaking up against Liu Xiaobo’s detainment that Mao Hengfeng was imprisoned.
Human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng
Subjected to enforced disappearance, torture, illegal house arrest and detention. Our global letter-writing day helped win a visit by his family, but he remains detained in Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region in northwest China.
Poet and journalist Shi Tao
Serving a 10-year prison sentence for sending an e-mail on the crackdown on the pro-democracy movement. His conviction for “leaking state secrets” was partly based on information provided to the Chinese authorities by the company Yahoo!
Activist Hu Jia
Detained on suspicion of “inciting subversion of state power”. There is ongoing harassment of his family, including his spouse Zeng Jinyan.
The need for human rights reform in China is great
Human rights violations in China are widespread, touching many sectors of society. China is a world leader with respect to the number of executions performed. Harsh measures are taken against government critics, political activists and human rights defenders. They face harassment, intimidation, arbitrary and illegal detention, enforced disappearances, torture and even the possibility of death in custody as a result of their activities. Judges decisions are open to political interference and trials do not come close to meeting international standards.
Learn more about Amnesty International’s work in China
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