Recently, the family of practitioner Ms. Liu Xiumin from Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province, tried hard to find a lawyer who would agree to defend her. They were happy to sign the consignment agreement and submit the retainer fee. But two days later, expressing regret, the director of the lawyer's office returned the retainer fee and rescinded the agreement.
It is said that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) requires any lawyer taking on a Falun Gong practitioner's case to report it and to get approval. The Shijiazhuang Judicial Bureau pressured the lawyer's office and forbade them from taking Li Xiumin's case, effectively depriving her of her right to retain a lawyer.
At present Li Xiumin's case has been sent to the Xinhua District Juvenile Court. Ms. Li's vision has become blurred and she has a uterine tumour. Her health is very poor. Since she is a Falun Gong practitioner, however, the government refuses to release her.
On the evening of May 23rd, 2007, Li Xiumin and Huo Junmei were arrested by police at Xinhua, Xisanzhuang Village and sent to Shijiazhuang No. 2 Detention Centre on May 25th. Shangcheng Police Station director Guo Lianxi charged Liu Xiumin and Huo Junmei as "counter-revolutionaries." After being approved by Fan Zhimou, the head of the State Security Unit who reports to the Xinhua Procuratorate, the case was transferred to juvenile court.
On July 19th, the No. 2 Detention Centre told Li Xiumin's family that her eye had developed serious problems, including retinitis, and she also had recurrent facial nerve paralysis. The detention centre reported to the Xinhua Procuratorate, which agreed to arrange for a medical examination. The family requested her release for treatment.
Ms. Li Xiumin is 49 years old. She used to work at the Hebei Science and Technology University. She had rheumatoid arthritis, low blood pressure, stomach pain and joint swelling that was quite painful. She also had a temper that was hard to control.
After she began to practise Falun Gong in 1995, her illness disappeared. She was appraised as an "Excellent Worker" for four years. In the family, she was a respected mother-in-law who cared for her husband and children. They had a harmonious family life.
During the eight years that Falun Gong has been persecuted, Li Xiumin has been in a labour camp for four years. Not only has she suffered torture, but also her family has borne great pressure. She had breast hyperplasia and uterine fibroids due to the forced labour. She was released for treatment in March 2007. Doctors suggested an operation, but since she could not pay the expensive fee, she did not have it.
Li Xiumin has been detained for two months. The poor conditions in the detention centre have made her health worse. Now she is very weak and has blurred eyesight, possibly caused by complications from a tumour. Her life could be in danger if the operation is delayed.
Li Xiumin's parents are over 70 years old, and they worry about their daughter. Her father cannot eat and can only lie in bed. We hope that everyone can help to rescue her.
No. 2 Detention Centre: 86-311-87782024
Chief Wang Shuting: 86-311-87755213, 86-13931171888(Mobile), 86-311-13781581859(Mobile)
Director Zhang Hongqi: 86-311-87755202(Office)
Deputy director Wang Zhibin: 86-311-87755202(Office)
Xinhua Court:
Juvenile Court No 2 Court Presiding Judge Ding (female): 86-311-87030794 (In charge of Li Xiumin's case)
Xinhua Court chief justice Guo Xiao 86-13315995605(Mobile)
Chinese version available at http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2007/8/9/160510.html
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