Amnesty International Calls for Bringing the Killers of Ms. Gao Rongrong to Justice

Amnesty International initiated a call to write or send faxes to Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and other officials, to request bringing to justice the killers of Ms. Gao Rongrong, a Falun Gong practitioner who was tortured to death after her face was terribly disfigured by being shocked with electric batons while in police custody. The brutal persecution of Ms. Gao caught the attention of kind-hearted people across the world.

Ms. Gao Rongrong was tortured to death after being disfigured by more than seven hours of torture with electric batons while in police custody

The following are excerpts from Amnesty International's information about Gao Rongrong and the call for letters of appeal:

Gao Rongrong, a Falun Gong practitioner from Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, reportedly died in custody on 16th June 2005 at the China Medical University Hospital. Gao was initially sent to Longshan Labour Camp in Shenyang on 8 July 2003.

According to reports, on 7th May 2004 Gao Rongrong was subjected to seven hours of torture at the hands of officials. This prolonged torture allegedly involved using electric-shock batons on Gao Rongrong's face and neck and reportedly caused her severe blistering and difficulties with her eyesight.

Gao Rongrong reportedly attempted to escape by jumping through the window of the first-floor room where she was being held, breaking several bones in her foot, leg and pelvis. She was hospitalised for these injuries, and reportedly continued to suffer further physical and psychological abuse in the hospital.

On 5th October 2004, Gao Rongrong was rescued out of the hospital by a group of acquaintances. She was re-apprehended by police on 6th March 2005 along with Feng Gang, Wang Juan (f), Liu Qingming and Sun Shiyou, the people who reportedly helped her to escape.

Gao Rongrong's whereabouts after her recapture where not disclosed until 12th June 2005 when her family was informed that she was being held at Masanjia Hospital. According to Gao's family who visited her at that hospital, she was little more than "skin and bones", had lost consciousness and was hooked up to a respirator. Gao was then transferred to China Medical University Hospital where she died four days later. Her family was reportedly being pressured to cremate her body quickly which would undermine any possibility of full, independent investigation of the cause of her death and any evidence of torture and ill-treatment.

There is no further information available on the current whereabouts or status of Wang Juan or Liu Qingming. Feng Gang has reportedly been detained, and later hospitalised after he underwent a 13 day hunger strike to protest against his detention. Sun Shiyou has reportedly been tortured by the authorities, including by electric shocks to his genitals.

Goal of Action: An official review of the death of Gao Rongrong while in detention, determination of the whereabouts of associates of Gao, and the abolition of Re-education through Labour.

Recommended Actions:

Please send appeals in English or fluent Chinese:

• calling on the authorities to launch a full, independent and impartial investigation into the death of Gao Rongrong including allegations that she was tortured in Longshan "Re-education through Labour" facility and again after her recapture in March 2005, with a view to bringing those found responsible to justice;
• calling on the authorities to launch a full, independent and impartial investigation into allegations that Sun Shiyou has been tortured after his capture in March 2005, with a view to bringing those found responsible to justice;
• calling on the authorities to clarify the current whereabouts and status of Wang Juan and Liu Qingming, and provide immediate guarantees for their safety;
• urging the authorities to ensure Feng Gang, Wang Juan, Liu Qingming and Sun Shiyou have full and regular access to their families, legal representation and medical treatment while they remain in detention;
• urging the authorities to release Feng Gang, Wang Juan, Liu Qingming and Sun Shiyou immediately and unconditionally unless they are charged with a recognisably criminal offence;
• calling on the authorities to abolish "Re-education through Labour" -- a form of arbitrary detention imposed without charge or trial -- ensuring that any alternative measures introduced comply fully with international human rights standards.