Practitioners Endure Mental Torture and Gruelling Labour in Shijiazhuang Women's Prison, Hebei Province

At present, the Shijiazhuang Women's Prison has detained about 200 practitioners who are dispersed into each small squad. In the prison, incidents happen fast and cruelly. One's life hangs by a thread; a bit of carelessness is followed by abuse, and there is a tremendous pressure. The practitioners are also required to perform physically demanding work.

The prison guards instigate convicts to monitor the practitioners' daily activities including during their conversations, meals, working hours and other activities. Thus, practitioners have to endure many inhuman treatments. They are forced to work long hours until 11p.m. to midnight before they can go to bed. There is a certain amount of work that each must complete; otherwise they are punished. Punishment follows if the work quality is not as good, if one is found talking while working or greeting each other.

Practitioner Ms. Zhang Lijun was sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment because she refused to cooperate with the prison guards. She went on a hunger strike a few times to resist the persecution. The prison guards incited convicts to beat and curse her. She is physically very weak and suffering from a heart and blood pressure condition. Her whole body is swollen. She is not permitted to see her family or write a letter. She is currently detained in the 5th prison section.

Chinese version available at http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2007/9/24/163235.html