Wuhan, Hubei- in another stunning legal victory, 3 female house church leaders have been unconditionally released from their labor camp in Hubei province. The decision was made at 4:30PM Beijing time on January 23, and follows on the heals of the January 11, appellate ruling to release 4 male house church leaders from their labor camp following dismissal of charges from Government officials. The dismissal of the female prisoners from the Labor Camp comes just 5 days after CAA issued a public call for their release.

The three released women are Ms. Qin Daofang(40-year-old), Ms. Hu Rong(42-year-old), Ms. Ren Xianxue (35-year-old).

The church leaders were arrested and sentenced to 18 months(for male) and 12 months (for female) re-education through labor respectively on August 6, 2007 after they were detained on July 15 and accused of the “crime of engaging in organizing and making use of evil cult organization to undermine the enforcement of State laws.”

In an interview with one of the recently released male pastors, CAA was told that the director of the Hubei labor camp made a formal apology to the house church leaders for their wrongful imprisonment.
Furthermore, the director went on to state that he and other officials had learned their lesson and would seek to do a better job in the future. He then expressed to the leaders that they should be patriotic and upright citizens.
The admonition from the director was easy to take for the leaders who find empowerment in their true Christian faith to be the best citizens they are able to be in society.

“The Chinese house church is deeply committed to helping China realize the goal of becoming a ‘Harmonious Society’, said Bob Fu, “The released leaders expressed their gratitude to the labor camp officials for their willingness to discern true Christianity from common criminality and for setting a remarkable precedent of progression towards true religious freedom and rule of law in China.”
The leaders are also thankful to the international community for their efforts and prayers during this time.

Issued by CAA January 23, 2008

Administrative
Reconsideration Decision Statement

January
8 2008

E Lao Jiao Xing Fu Zi [2008]
No. 001

Applicant: Yang Situan.
Nickname: Yang Tuan. Male. Born on April 8, 1968. Han nationality. Household residence is registered at:
Huangbei Team, Huinan Village, Huinan
Township, Wuhe County, Anhui
Province. Yang Situan is currently
placed in a program of education through labor at Enshi Prefecture Education
through Labor Center.

Applicant: Wang Caizhang. Nickname: Wang Matai. Male. Born on April 13, 1973. Han nationality. Household residence is registered at: Team 1, Zhangtai
Village, Taiping
Township, Mingguang City, Anhui
Province. Wang Caizhang is currently placed
in a program of education through labor at Enshi Prefecture Education through Labor Center.

Applicant: Ma Chao. Male. Born
on August 12, 1972. Han
nationality. Household residence is
registered at: Miaoxi
Village, Xiaodian
Township, Nanzhao County, Henan. Ma Chao is currently placed in a program of
education through labor at Enshi Prefecture Education through Labor Center.

Applicant: Du Dongliang. Male. Born
on October 14, 1975. Han
nationality. Household residence is
registered at: Suburb of Changzhi City,
Shanxi. Du Dongliang is currently placed
in a program of education through labor at Enshi Prefecture Education through Labor Center.

Respondent: Education through Labor Administration
Committee of Enshi Tujia Nationality and Miao Nationality Autonomous Region.

Legal representative: Director Liu Wangchun

The
applicants Yang Situan, Wang Caizhang, Ma Chao, Du Dongliang do not accept the
education through labor (one year and six months of education through labor)
decision of En Zhou Lao Jue Zi [2007] No. 00038 issued on August 7, 2007 by Education
through Labor Administration Committee of Enshi Autonomous Region and applied
for an administrative reconsideration at this committee on October 9,
2007. This committee accepted its
application for administrative reconsideration according to law. During the reconsideration of this case, it
was found the circumstances surrounding this case are complicated. As a result, pursuant to Clause 1, Article
31 of Law of the People’s Republic of China on Administrative Reconsideration,
this committee decided on December 8, 2007 to postpone the period of the
reconsideration by 30 days.

The
applicants claimed that they did not violate the law with their conduct. The seven applicants of Yang Situan, Wang
Caizhang, Du Dongliang, Ma Chao, Ren Xianxue, Hu Rong and Li Mei, on invitation
by Qin Daomin, went to Guandian
Township, Jianshi County
of Enshi Prefecture for tourism on July 10, 2007. From July 11-13, the applicants Yang Situan,
Wang Caizhang, Ren Xianxue, Hu Rong, Li Mei, Du Dongliang, Ma Chao, led by Qin
Daofang, went to visit the Monuments to the Martyrs, TV relay station, and
other places where they took photos.
They also went to several houses of peasants where they learned the
custom and life of the ethnic people there.
On July 14, with the approval of director of Guandian Township
Welfare Center,
this group of applicants visited the seniors at the welfare center with gifts
worth several hundred yuan and a cash of 200 yuan. On the afternoon of July 15, this group of
applicants gathered at the residence of Qin Daomin. They were found by the policemen from
Guandian Township Police and taken to the police station. They therefore request that the respondent’s
decision on education through labor of En Zhou Lao Jue Zi [2007] No. 00038 be
repealed.

The
respondent, Education through Labor Administration Committee of Enshi
Autonomous Region, submitted to this committee its answers and the related
evidence. The respondent claimed : In early July 2007, Qin Daomin (female, born
on May 16, 1974. Of Tujia nationality. Education: Junior high school. Household residence is registered at Group 3,
Guandian Township Neighborhood Committee of Jianshi County, Hubei Province. She is currently placed in the program of
education through labor outside the center), Yang Situan, Ma Chao, Du Dongliang
and others contacted each other through the phone and came to Guandian Township,
Jianshi County. On July 9, Yang Situan and Ren Xianxue
(Female. Born on October 10, 1972. Han nationality. Wife of Yang Situan. Household residence is registered at Huangbei
Team, Huinan Village,
Huinan Township,
Wuhe County, Anhui Province. She is currently placed in the program of
education through labor in Women’s Education through Labor Administration Center
of Hubei Province.) Li Mei (Female. Born on July 15, 1965. Han nationality. Household residence is registered at Dongcai
Group, Shentang Township,
Xinji Township,
Wuhe County, Anhui Province. She is now placed in the program of education
through labor outside the center.) Hu
Rong (Female. Born on August 10,
1965. Han nationality. Household residence is registered at 10, Hexiang Garden,
Chengguan Township,
Wuhe County, Anhui Province. She is currently placed in the program of
education through labor at Women’s Education through Labor Administration
Center of Hebei Province.) Wang
Caizhang, Ma Chao, Du Dongliang, Miao Yong (on the run), a total of eight
people met at Jiajizui Bus Station of Wuhan.
On the afternoon of the same day, they took a long-distance bus and went
to Hongyan Temple,
Jianshi County. On their way there, the above-mentioned eight
people founded “Short Preaching Travel Group for Spiritual Life” in which Yang
Situan served as team leader, Ren Xianxue served as deputy team leader; Wang
Caizhang was in charge of financial management; Ma Chao was in charge of
photography and Gospel procedure; Miao
Yong was in charge of praying; Du Dongliang was in charge of scheduling. Other people were just members. On July 10, the group of Yang Situan arrived
at the residence of Qin Daomin in Guandian.
On July 11, Qin Daomin, Qin Daofang (Female. Born on September 22, 1967. Tujia nationality. Education: elementary school. Elder sister of Qin Daomin. She resides at Group 3, Guandian Township
Neighborhood Committee, Jianshi County,
Hubei Province. She is currently placed in the program of
education through labor at Women’s Education through Labor Administration
Center of Hubei Province) led a group of people to Guandian Monuments to the
Martyrs and the TV relay station. At the
above two places, they sang hymns, nailed a cross, prayed, and conducted other
activities. On July 12 and July 13, a
total of 10 people, including Yang Situan, divided it into two groups led by
Qin Daomin and Qin Daofang and went to many peasants’ houses to preach the
religion and to convert the people there. On July 14, a group of 10 people, including
Yang Situan and Qin Daomin, went to Guandian’s Welfare Center. They got together over 60 people to watch
them sing hymns, and presented a drama about men and God. They also played the disc of “Life of Jesus”
and led the people in a group prayer.
They prayed for the handicapped seniors and asked God to treat them and
they want the old people in the welfare center to believe in their religion. On July 15, Yang Situan, Qin Daomin and others
invited the new converts to meet at the residence of Qin Daomin where they sang
hymns, presented a drama about man and God, talked about the Bible, prayed and
conducted other activities. The evidence
that confirms the above fact which is illegal activities is: confessions and arguments of Li Mei, Du
Dongliang, Hu Rong, Qin Daofang, Qin Daomin, Ren Xianxue, Wang Caizhang, Yang
Situan and Ma Chao, testimonies from the witnesses, confiscated objects,
audio-video materials, etc. The decision
of education through labor of En Zhou Lao Jue Zi [2007] No. 00038 issued by the
respondent on August 7, 2007 pursuant to Item 4, Clause 1 of Article 10 and
Article 13 of “Pilot Program of Education through Labor” is based on clear
facts and is supported by solid evidence.
Its procedure is legal and its applicable basis is right and term is
appropriate. They request that the
reconsideration agency sustain the decision of education through labor.

After
reviewing the applicants’ application for reconsideration and the answers and
evidence submitted by the respondent, this committee believes that the decision
of education through labor of En Zhou Lao Jue Zi [2007] No. 00038 made by Re-Education
through Labor Administration Committee of Enshi Autonomous Region is not based
on clear facts and is not supported by sufficient evidence.

Pursuant
to Item 3, Clause 1, Article 28 of Law of the People’s Republic of China on
Administrative Reconsideration, this committee has made the following decision:

The
decision of education through labor of En Zhou Lao Jue Zi [2007] No. 00038 made
by Re-Education through Labor Administration Committee of Enshi Autonomous
Region shall be repealed.

If
the person does not accept this decision, they may file an administrative
litigation within 15 days from the date of receiving this decision on
administrative reconsideration.

Hubei Provincial Re-Education
through Labor Administration Committee

January 18, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

China Aid Association, Inc.

Midland, Texas

Tel: (267) –205-5210 Fax: (432)-686-8355

E-mail: info@ChinaAid.org
Website: www.ChinaAid.org
www.monitorChina.org

Contact: Bob Fu (432) 689-6985 (267) 205-5210

Photo: the Decision Paper by Hubei Provincial Re-education
through Labor Administration Committee for ordering the release of the church leaders

Wuhan, Hubei-In an unprecedented legal victory after CAA’s legal aid, 4 House church leaders
were released from their labor camp in Hubei
province last week. In a stunning ruling on January 8, 2008, the Hubei Provincial Re-education through Labor Administration Committee decided to repeal the decision made by the Re-Education through Labor Administration Committee of Enshi Autonomous Region. After the ruling, four leaders were released while they were serving in their labor camp.

Four male church leaders and five female leaders were
arrested and sentenced to 18 months and 12 months re-education through labor respectively on August 6, 2007 after they were detained on July 15 when they were found having Sunday worship service together at the home of Ms. Qin Daomin. They were accused of the “crime of engaging in organizing and making use of evil cult organization to undermine the enforcement of State laws.”
Since then, two female leaders have been serving their sentence at their homes because of illness and having infant baby. On October 9, 2007, CAA help hire attorney Wu Chenglian from Beijing
who filed an administrative legal review to Hubei Provincial Re-education through Labor Administration Committee requesting to overturn the previous decision by its city level Committee.

After 3-months deliberations, the final ruling said “after
reviewing the applicants’ application for reconsideration and the answers and evidence submitted by the respondent, this committee believes that the decision of education through labor of En Zhou Lao Jue Zi [2007] No. 00038 made by Education through Labor Administration Committee of Enshi Autonomous Region is
not based on clear facts and is not supported by sufficient evidence.”

“We are truly pleased by the ruling from the Hubei government. This is clearly another victory of the rule of law in China,” said Bob Fu, “We certainly hope the other three female leaders can be released from their labor camp because they were related to the same case.”

Click here for the full text of the official ruling
paper-

http://chinaaid.org/2008/01/18/hubei-provincial-re-education-through-labor-administration-committee-decision-paper-regarding-the-release-of-the-four-church-leaders/

The 9 sentenced leaders are from Anhui,
Hubei, Henan
and Shanxi provinces. The four men who are released are Mr. Wang Caizhang(34-year-old), Mr. Ma Zhao(35-year-old), Mr. Yang Situan(39-year-old) and Mr. Du Dongliang(32-year-old). The five women are Ms. Qin Daofang(40-year-old), Ms. Hu Rong(42-year-old), Ms. Li Mei (42-year-old), Ms. Ren Xianxue (35-year-old),Ms. Qin Daomin(33-year-old). Mr. Yang Situan and Ms. Ren Xianxue are husband and wife with three children at school. Ms. Qin Daofang and Qin Daomin are two biological sisters and their father Mr. Qin Hongjun (65-year-old) was sentenced to ten days administrative detention for hosting the Sunday worship service at his home. He was also severely beaten.

The four male church leaders were released from the
following labor camp:

Enshi Zhou Labor Camp

Shi Jia Po Reeducation through labor camp, Liu Jiao Ting
town, Enshi city, Enshizhou,
Hubei province (zip code: 44500)

The three women‘s labor camp address:

Hubei Provincial Female Reeducation through labor camp

Team 2, Female Reeducation through labor camp, Te Yi Hao,
Wunan Tielu, Hongshan district, Wuhan city, Hubei province

Contact Phone number: +86-27-88422136(Labor camp management
bureau) or +86-27-88422142(inside labor camp)

Communicate your concern for the three still imprisoned
female leaders to the Chinese authority at the following address:

Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong,

Embassy of the People’s Republic of China

2300 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington DC 20008

http://www.china-embassy.org/

TEL:
202-7456743

Fax: 202- 588-0032; 202-7457473

Director of Religious Affairs: (202) 328-2512

WEN Jiabao Guojia Zongli

The State Council General Office

2 Fuyoujie, Xichengqu

Beijingshi 100017

People’s Republic of China

Fax: +86 10 65961109 (c/o Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Email: gazette@mail.gov.cn

Issued by China Aid Association, Inc.

Wang Caizhang; male; Birth date: April. 13, 1973; Nationality: Han group; Place of Registered Permanent Residence: No. 1 Team of Zhangtai village, Taiping county, Mingguang city, Anhui province; Current Place of Residence: No. 1 Team of Zhangtai village, Taiping county, Mingguang city, Anhui province. On July 16, 2007, he was sentenced to criminal detention by the Public Security Bureau of Jianshi county for crime of engaging in organizing and making use of evil cult organization to undermine the enforcement of State laws, and is now detained in the detention center of Jianshi county.

Yang Situan; Byname: Yangtuan; male; Birth date: April 8, 1968; Hometown: Wuhe county of Anhui province; Nationality: Han group; Education: Senior high; Place of Registered Permanent Residence: Huangbei team of Huinan village, Huinan town, Wuhe county, Anhui province; Current Place of Residence: Huangbei team of Huinan village, Huinan town, Wuhe county, Anhui province. On July 16, 2007, he was sentenced to criminal detention by the Public Security Bureau of Jianshi county for the crime of engaging in organizing and making use of evil cult organization to undermine the enforcement of State laws, and is now detained in the detention center of Jianshi county.

Qin Daofang, female; Birth date: Sept. 22, 1967; Hometown: Jianshi county of Hubei province; Nationality: Tu ethnic group; Education: primary school graduate; Place of Registered Permanent Residence: Group 9 of Liwuxiang village, Xuying town, Hejia county, Xinxiang city, Henan province. Current Place of Residence: Group 3 of Neighborhood Committee, Guandian town, Jianshi county, Hubei province.

Hu Rong, female; Birth date: Aug. 10, 1965; Hometown: Wuhe county of Anhui province; Nationality: Han group; Education: primary school graduate; Place of Registered Permanent Residence: Chengguan town of Wuhe county, Anhui province; Current Place of Residence: No. 10 of Hexiang-Garden Residential Area, Chengguan town, Wuhe county, Anhui province. On July 16, 2007, he was sentenced to criminal detention by the Public Security Bureau of Jianshi county for the crime of engaging in organizing and making use of evil cult organization to undermine the enforcement of State laws, and is now detained in the detention center of Jianshi county.

Li Mei, female; Birth date: July 15, 1965; Hometown: Wuhe county of Anhui province; Nationality: Han group; Education: Primary school graduate; Place of Registered Permanent Residence: Shentang village of Xinji town, Wuhe county, Anhui province; Current Place of Residence: Dongji group of Shentang village, Xinji town, Wuhe county, Anhui province. On July 16, 2007, she was sentenced to criminal detention by the Public Security Bureau of Jianshi county for the crime of engaging in organizing and making use of evil cult organization to undermine the enforcement of State laws, and is now detained in the detention center of Jianshi county.

Ren Xianxue, female; Birth date: Oct. 10, 1972; Hometown: Wuhe county of Anhui province; Nationality: Han group; Education: illiterate; Place of Registered Permanent Residence: Huangbei team of Huinan village, Huinan town, Wuhe county, Anhui province; Current Place of Residence: Huangbei team of Huinan village, Huinan town, Wuhe county, Anhui province. On July 16, 2007, she was sentenced to criminal detention by the Public Security Bureau of Jianshi County for the crime of engaging in organizing and making use of evil cult organization to undermine the enforcement of State laws, and is now detained in the detention center of Jianshi County.

Qin Daomin, female; Birth date: May 16, 1974; Hometown: Jianshi county of Hubei province; Nationality: Tu ethnic group; Education: primary school graduate; ID card No.: 422822197405165027; Place of Registered Permanent Residence: Group 9 of Liwuxiang village, Xuying town, Hejia county, Xinxiang city, Henan province. Current Place of Residence: Group 3 of Neighborhood Committee, Guandian town, Jianshi County, Hubei province.

Du Dongliang, male; Birth date: Oct. 14, 1975; Hometown: Changzhi city of Shanxi province; Nationality: Han group; Education: associate degree; Place of Registered Permanent Residence: Suburb of Changzhi city of Shanxi province; Current place of residence: Suburb of Changzhi city of Shanxi province; On July 16, 2007, he was sentenced to criminal detention by the Public Security Bureau of Jianshi county for crime of engaging in organizing and making use of evil cult organization to undermine the enforcement of State laws, and is now detained in the detention center of Jianshi county.

Ma Zhao, male; Birth date: Aug. 12, 1972; Hometown: Nanzhao county of Henan province; Nationality: Han group; Education: primary school graduate; Place of Registered Permanent Residence: Miaoxi village of Xiaodian town, Nanzhao county of Henan province; Current place of residence: Miaoxi village of Xiaodian town, Nanzhao county of Henan province; On July 16, 2007, he was sentenced to criminal detention by the Public Security Bureau of Jianshi county for crime of engaging in organizing and making use of evil cult organization to undermine the enforcement of State laws, and is now detained in the detention center of Jianshi county.

Upon investigation:
In early July 2007, Qin Daomin contacted Yang Situan, Ma Zhao, Du Dongliang, etc. to come to Guandian town. On July 9, Yang Situan invited Ren Xianxue, Li Mei, Hu Rong, Wang Caizhang to meet Ma Zhao, Du Dongliang and Miao Yong (on the run) to meet at Jijiazui Bus Station of Wuhan city. On the same afternoon, the eight people above took a bus from Wuhan city to Hongyan temple of Jianshi county, and on the bus set up a short-term itinerary spiritual propagandizing group with Yang Situan as group leader, Ren Xianxue as assistant, Wang Caizhang in charge of finance management, Mazhao in charge of taking photos and gospel meeting arrangement, Miaoyong in charge of prayer, Du Dongliang in charge of schedule arrangement, and the rest as group members. On July 10, Yang Situan and the other seven arrived at Qin Daomin’s house in Guandian town. On July 11, guided by Qin Daomin and Qin Daofang, they went to the Martyrs’ Monument and the TV Signal-Transferring Tower of Guandian town, where they sang hymns, imitated crucifixion and prayed. On July 12 and 13, the ten of them divided into two groups guided by Qin Daomin and Qin Daofang and went to each household of the village to preach the gospel and make believers. On July 14, Yang Situan, Qin Daomin and the other eight went to the Nursing Home of Guandian town, where they gathered more than 60 people from the Nursing Home to listen to their hymns, and watch their magical performance between man and God. They also played the Jesus movie, led the people to pray together, prayed for the disabled elderly men for healing from God, and asked the senior citizens to believe in Jesus. On the afternoon of July 15, Yang Situan, Qin Daomin and the rest invited the newly-converted believers to gather at Qin Daomin’s house, where they sang hymns, performed magical play between God and man, preached the Bible, and prayed.

Evidence confirming the illegal facts above includes:
Confession and excuses of Limei, Du Dongliang, Hu Rong, Qin Daomin, Qin Daofang, Ren Xianxue, Wang Caizhang, Yang Situan and Mao Zhao; witnesses as well as testimonies of witnesses; articles, and audio-visual materials, etc.

In accordance with provisions of Paragraph 4 of Article 10 and Article 13 of the Trial Methods for Implementation of Re-education through Labor, the committee thereby decides to impose on Wang Caizhang reeducation through labor with a term of one and a half years from July 16, 2007 to Jan. 15, 2009. The person hereby subjected to reeducation was put in criminal detention on July 16 before undergoing reeducation. A day in criminal detention is the same as a day in reeducation through labor.

In accordance with provisions of Paragraph 4 of Article 10 and Article 13 of the Trial Methods for Implementation of Re-education through Labor, the committee thereby decides to impose on Yang Situan reeducation through labor with a term of one and a half years from July 16, 2007 to Jan. 15, 2009. The person hereby subjected to reeducation was put in criminal detention on July 16 before undergoing reeducation. A day in criminal detention is the same as a day in reeducation through labor.

In accordance with provisions of Paragraph 4 of Article 10 and Article 13 of the Trial Methods for Implementation of Re-education through Labor, the committee thereby decides to impose on Qin Daofang reeducation through labor with a term of one year from Aug. 6, 2007 to Aug. 5, 2008.

In accordance with provisions of Paragraph 4 of Article 10 and Article 13 of the Trial Methods for Implementation of Re-education through Labor, the committee thereby decides to impose on Hu Rong reeducation through labor with a term one year from July 16, 2007 to Jan. 15, 2008. The person hereby subjected to reeducation was put in criminal detention on July 16 before undergoing reeducation. A day in criminal detention is the same as a day in reeducation through labor.

In accordance with provisions of Paragraph 4 of Article 10 and Article 13 of the Trial Methods for Implementation of Re-education through Labor, the committee thereby decides to impose on Li Mei reeducation through labor with a term one year from July 16, 2007 to Jan. 15, 2008. The person hereby subjected to reeducation was put in criminal detention on July 16 before undergoing reeducation. A day in criminal detention is the same as a day in reeducation through labor. Because of her serious disease, Li Mei is allowed to undergo reeducation through labor outside the reeducation through labor center.

In accordance with provisions of Paragraph 4 of Article 10 and Article 13 of the Trial Methods for Implementation of Re-education through Labor, the committee thereby decides to impose on Ren Xianxue reeducation through labor with a term of one year from July. 16, 2007 to July 15. 2008. The person hereby subjected to reeducation was put in criminal detention on July 16 before undergoing reeducation. A day in criminal detention is the same as a day in reeducation through labor.

In accordance with provisions of Paragraph 4 of Article 10 and Article 13 of the Trial Methods for Implementation of Re-education through Labor, the committee thereby decides to impose on Qin Daomin reeducation through labor with a term of one year from Aug. 6, 2007 to Aug. 5, 2008.

In accordance with provisions of Paragraph 4 of Article 10 and Article 13 of the Trial Methods for Implementation of Re-education through Labor, the committee thereby decides to impose on Du Dongliang reeducation through labor with a term of one and a half years from July 16, 2007 to Jan. 15, 2009. The person hereby subjected to reeducation was put in criminal detention on July 16 before undergoing reeducation. A day in criminal detention is the same as a day in reeducation through labor.

In accordance with provisions of Paragraph 4 of Article 10 and Article 13 of the Trial Methods for Implementation of Re-education through Labor, the committee thereby decides to impose on Ma Zhao reeducation through labor with a term of one and a half years from July 16, 2007 to Jan. 15, 2009. The person hereby subjected to reeducation was put in criminal detention on July 16 before undergoing reeducation. A day in criminal detention is the same as a day in reeducation through labor.

If the person concerned does not accept this decision, he can apply to the people’s government of Enshizhou city or the Administrative Committee for Reeducation through Labor of Hubei province for administrative reconsideration within 60 days from the date of receiving this written decision, or bring a administrative suit before the people’s court of Enshizhou city with within 3 months from the date of receiving this written decision.

Aug. 6, 2007

October 4, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
China Aid Association, Inc.
Midland, Texas
Tel: (267) –205-5210 Fax: (432)-686-8355
E-mail: info@ChinaAid.org Website: www.ChinaAid.org www.monitorChina.org
Contact: Bob Fu ?432?689-6985 (267) 205-5210

Photo: the Decision Paper by Re-education through Labor Committee for the nine House Church leaders

CAA learned that after the 9 House Church leaders were missing for almost two months, only recently their relatives were formally informed by the authority that the 9 pastors had been sentenced to re-education through labor from 12 months to 18 months since August 6 of this year. Among them, 42-year-old Ms. Li Mei has been serving her one-year sentence in a hospital of her county with both hands chained with her bed. She has to have a hysterectomy surgery because of the repeated beatings and torture, she received during her detention time from July 15 to August 15. Another female church leader 33-year-old Ms. Qin Daomin is temporarily serving her sentence at home because she had a 2-year-old child to care.

According to the sentence paper issued on August 6 2007 by the Administrative Committee for Reeducation through Labor of Enshizhou City of Hubei province, the 9 leaders were detained on July 15 when they were found having Sunday worship service together at the home of Ms. Qin Daomin. They were accused “for crime of engaging in organizing and making use of evil cult organization to undermine the enforcement of State laws”. The official reeducation through labor decision paper listed the following things as evidence of their crimes including singing Christian hymns to the villagers and showing Jesus film in a nursing home and praying for the disabled elderly men for healing from God.

Click here for the full text of the official decision paper- A Decision of Reeducation through Labor http://chinaaid.org/2007/10/05/a-decision-of-reeducation-through-labor-for-the-9-church-leaders/

Click here for Qin Hongjun Administrative Appeal paper
http://chinaaid.org/2007/10/05/jianshi-county-public-security-bureau-written-decision-on-public-security-administrative-penalty-against-qin-hongjun-and-his-complaint/

The 9 sentenced leaders are from Anhui, Hubei, Henan and Shanxi provinces. Among them, four male church leaders were sentenced to 18 months in labor camp while 5 women were sentenced to 12 months. The four men are Mr. Wang Caizhang(34-year-old), Mr. Ma Zhao(35-year-old), Mr. Yang Situan(39-year-old) and Mr. Du Dongliang(32-year-old). The five women are Ms. Qin Daofang(40-year-old), Ms. Hu Rong(42-year-old), Ms. Li Mei (42-year-old), Ms. Ren Xianxue (35-year-old),Ms. Qin Daomin(33-year-old). Mr. Yang Situan and Ms. Ren Xianxue are husband and wife with three children at school. Ms. Qin Daofang and Qin Daomin are two biological sisters and their father Mr. Qin Hongjun (65-year-old) was sentenced to ten days administrative detention for hosting the Sunday worship service at his home. He was also severely beaten.

The four male church leaders are now held in the following labor camp:
Enshi Zhou Labor Camp
Shi Jia Po Reeducation through labor camp, Liu Jiao Ting town, Enshi city, Enshizhou, Hubei province (zip code: 44500)

The three women‘s labor camp address:
Hubei Provincial Female Reeducation through labor camp
Team 2, Female Reeducation through labor camp, Te Yi Hao, Wunan Tielu, Hongshan district, Wuhan city, Hubei province
Contact Phone number: +86-27-88422136(Labor camp management bureau) or +86-27-88422142(inside labor camp)

Communicate your concern to the Chinese authority at the following address:
Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong,
Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
2300 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington DC 20008
http://www.china-embassy.org/
TEL: 202-7456743
Fax: 202- 588-0032; 202-7457473
Director of Religious Affairs: (202) 328-2512

WEN Jiabao Guojia Zongli
The State Council General Office
2 Fuyoujie, Xichengqu
Beijingshi 100017
People’s Republic of China
Fax: +86 10 65961109 (c/o Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Email: gazette@mail.gov.cn
Issued by China Aid Association, Inc. October 4, 2007