ChinaAid
May 19, 2010
SHANGHAI — On the afternoon of May 17, Mao Hengfeng’s husband Wu Xuewei received a letter from her at the Women’s Re-education through Labor Center, asking her husband to hire an attorney as soon as possible. Dr Li Baiguang, one of the top human rights attorneys in China, has now taken up her case.
Wu Xuewei received a call from Shanghai Municipal Re-education through Labor Center on the afternoon of May 17, informing him that his wife Mao Hengfeng had been sent to Shanghai Municipal Women’s Re-education through Labor on April 26 and stayed there for a day. On April 27, she was transferred to Brigade 4 of Hefei Women’s Re-education through Labor in Anhui province.
This is only the most recent development in her heartbreaking story of persecution. Twenty years ago, Mao Hengfeng was forced to abort her second child. Since then, she has become a strong voice for human rights and a staunch opponent against China’s One Child policy. She may have experienced more years of detention, imprisonment, and labor camp than any other petitioner in China.
Mao Hengfeng was kidnapped recently from Beijing before the opening of the Shanghai World Expo. Her attorney, Dr. Li, said the government tried to buy Mao Hengfeng’s silence and exile her out of the country before the World Expo opening. They offered her a few million US dollars for compensation of her past two decades of suffering. She declined this bribery, however, and was secretly sent to labor camp, where she has been held until today.
Her husband says her latest sentence is for at least 1 and 1/2 years of Re-education Through Labor. Police told Wu Xuewei his wife had to be punished harshly, because she was guilty of “disturbing public order” on December 25, when she attended a rally outside a Beijing courthouse with dozens of petitioners to show solidarity with dissident Liu Xiaobo during his trial.
“They can make up any arbitrary crime or evidence … No one will say anything about these illegal goings-on [during the NPC], it is deplorable,” Wu said.
It is learned that Chen Xiaoming, a Shanghai human rights leader, died in the same prison where Mao is currently detained.
For more information on Mao Hengfeng, see previous ChinaAid articles:
Human Rights Activists Rounded Up
Human Rights Record in China Poor, Says U.S. State Department
Mao Hengfeng’s husband calls on people from various walks of life to show concerns for her situation as soon as possible.
To encourage Wu Xuewei, Mao Hengfeng’s husband, call him at 13901662286, or at his home phone number, 021-65195100
ChinaAid urges the Chinese government to cease their oppression, arbitrary detainment, and attempted bribery of human rights advocates. ChinaAid support Mao Hengfeng’s attorney, Li Baiguang, as he pursues her case. We encourages the Christian community worldwide to pray for the Mao Hengfeng and her family.
China Aid Contacts
Rachel Ritchie, English Media Director
Cell: (432) 553-1080 | Office: 1+ (888) 889-7757 | Other: (432) 689-6985
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.chinaaid.org
