Ms. Yang Shifen Dies as a Result of Persecution

Falun Gong practitioner Ms. Yang Shifen died on March 9th, 2014, the day after being released from custody in Shishi City, Fujian Province.

Ms. Yang was arrested by Baogai Township Police Station officers on February 23rd, 2014, for telling people the facts about Falun Gong and the persecution. She was admitted to Jiulongshan Detention Centre.

When she fell ill in the detention centre, she was taken to the Shishi City Overseas Chinese Hospital on March 6th, 2014. She was released on the morning of March 8th, even though she had shortness of breath and severe constipation.

The next day, her condition worsened and she couldn't walk or sit up or lay down without discomfort. That evening, she fell down and couldn't speak. She was also foaming around the mouth and her skin began to turn purple. Her daughter tried to help her up, but couldn't. Ms. Yang passed away before the emergency rescue team arrived.

After she was arrested, about six police officers went to her home and lied to her husband that she had asked them to get her things. They ransacked the home and confiscated a picture of Teacher Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Gong, plus a copy of the Falun Gong book Zhuan Falun. When her daughter asked for their names, the officers refused to answer.

Previous Arrest

The police had harassed and threatened Ms. Yang several times. They also ransacked her home and confiscated her personal belongings. She was arrested for the first time in July 2011 and held for seven days. The police also arrested her eldest daughter. Ms. Yang and her daughter were later forced to become destitute to avoid further persecution and arrest.

Ms. Yang, a supermarket owner, is from Shishi City in Quanzhou, Fujian Province. After she began practising Falun Gong, she followed Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance in her daily life and was well liked.

Summary of Key Persecution Facts:
Name: Yang Shifen (杨世芬女士)
Gender: Female
Age: Unknown
Address: Shishi City, Quanzhou, Fujian Province
Occupation : Supermarket owner
Date of Death: March 9th, 2014
Date of Most Recent Arrest: February 23rd, 2014
Most Recent Place of Detention: Jiulongshan Detention Centre (石狮市九龙山看守所)
City: Shishi
Province: Fujian
Persecution Suffered : Home ransacked, interrogation, detention