A "prisoner of conscience" is defined by Amnesty International as "an individual imprisoned for acts of conscience or expression that did not involve the use or advocacy of violence."
We have been assigned a new POC, Chinese labor activist Li Wangyang. Li is
currently in prison for "Incitement to subvert state power" and is on
his second ten year term after being released and re-arrested in 2001.
Li Wangyang, aged 51, a veteran labour activist formerly imprisoned
for his activities during the 1989 pro-democracy protests, was
sentenced on 20 September to a further 10 years on charges of
"incitement to subvert state power". He had been demanding
compensation to pay for treatment he needed after his previous 11
years in prison.
He was reportedly severely
ill-treated in prison and was released on medical parole in July 1996,
but eight months later he was taken back to prison in the middle of
his treatment.
His medical status has now reportedly
deteriorated to a critical point, where he runs the grave risk of
dying in prison. He is now practically deaf in his left ear, has
trouble hearing with his right ear, has failing eyesight and
difficulty walking. He should be given immediate and adequate
medical care in accordance with the United Nations Standard Minimum
Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.
Li Wangyang was released early in
June 2000 because of his poor health but was subsequently harassed and
finally re-arrested in May 2001 after he went on hunger strike
demanding compensation for his ill-treatment.
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