Torture at the Xishanping Forced Labour Camp Causes the Death of 63-Year-Old Mr. Zhou Xueliang

Mr. Zhou Xueliang from Chongqing City was extremely emaciated when he was released from the Xishanping Forced Labour Camp in April 2013. He rarely spoke after returning home and whenever he tried, it prompted a coughing fit. He experienced frequent episodes of hot and cold flashes, shivering, and he was in a lot of pain. Mr. Zhou passed away on January 14th, 2014, at the age of 63.

Before he passed away, Mr. Zhou's face became yellowish in colour and this discolouration slowly spread to the rest of his body. He also had swelling above the ankles, especially in his hands. His family spent 120,000 yuan¹ seeking medical treatments, but to no avail.

Arrested and Sentenced to Forced Labour

Mr. Zhou was followed and arrested on April 27th, 2012, after distributing Shen Yun² DVD's at the Banan District Farmer's Market. He was taken to the Huaxi Police Station by director Xiong Tianrong of the Huaxi Street Comprehensive Management Office, Xiong's wife, and officer Shi from the office. The police ransacked his home immediately after his arrest and left the place in disarray. There was an infant in the home during the ransacking. When his family went to the police station and appealed for his release, they were treated rudely and told to go to the Jiulongpo District Domestic Security Division. Mr. Zhou was taken to the Banan District Yudong Detention Center at around 9 p.m. that night and later sentenced to forced labour.

Guards at the Xishanping Forced Labour Camp poured hot pepper water into his eyes, which caused his vision to rapidly decline. He was subjected to brutal torture during the one year term, and this led to his death after being released.

Background and Previous Arrests

Mr. Zhou is a retired employee of the Jiulongpo District Construction Group in Chongqing City. He began to practice Falun Gong in January 1999 and benefited both physically and mentally. Since the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched the persecution campaign in July 1999, he has been repeatedly arrested.

Mr. Zhou and his wife, Ms. Deng Dezhen, were followed and arrested in November 2002 while posting banners exposing the persecution of Falun Gong. Mr. Zhou was detained for a month at the Lijiatuo Detention Centre. His wife was sentenced to one year of forced labour at the Jiangbei Women's Forced Labour Camp.

In September 2003, Mr. Zhou was arrested by 610 Office (an organisation of special agents just for persecuting Falun Gong) members of the Jiulongpo District Construction Group. He was forced to undergo brainwashing at the Jiulongpo District Brainwashing Centre.

While posting posters exposing the persecution of Falun Gong at the beginning of March 2004 in the Xiejiawan area, Mr. Zhou was arrested by police officers and patrols of the Xiejiawan Police Station. He was severely beaten, then detained at the Jiulongpo District Detention Centre. Mr. Zhou was sentenced to one year of forced labour shortly after and served the term at the Xishanping Forced Labour Camp.

Summary of Key Persecution Facts:

Name: Zhou Xueliang (周学亮)
Gender: Male
Age: 63
Address: Chongqing City
Occupation: Retired employee of the Jiulongpo District Construction Group
Date of Death: January 14th, 2014
Date of Most Recent Arrest: April 27th, 2012
Most Recent Place of Detention: Xishanping Forced Labour Camp (西山坪劳教所)
City: Chongqing
Persecution Suffered: Forced labour, beatings, torture, home ransacked, detention

Note

1. "Yuan" is the Chinese currency; 500 yuan is equal to the average monthly income of an urban worker in China.

2. Shen Yun Performing Arts is a New York based company showing traditional Chinese culture through classical dance and music. Some dance pieces in the show depict the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China and how they show their compassion under extreme conditions.