Force-Feeding and Torture of Dafa Practitioners in Xiangfan City No 2 Detention Centre

Falun Dafa practitioner Zeng Jihua is a 46 year old woman. She was arrested by the Migong Police Station in Xiangfan City on March 22, 2002 when distributing Falun Gong truth clarification materials. She was taken to the No. 2 Detention Centre in Xiangfan City, where she resisted the persecution. Several days later, Zeng Jihua fell unconscious to the ground. She was sent to a hospital for intravenous nutrient infusion. The police of the No. 2 Detention Centre however did not notify her family members, and as soon as her condition had stabilized, they took her back to the detention centre. Regimented regrouping of female prisoners was conducted, and a number of vicious female inmates were assigned to the cell where Zeng was held. The guards consider these vicious inmates most helpful in monitoring Zeng Jihua and forcing her to have meals prepared for inmates.

Zeng Jihua clarified the truth of Falun Gong to the inmates with compassion and said to them, "People all around the world are positioning themselves in relation to Truthfulness-Benevolence-Forbearance. Although I'm being brutally persecuted, I still have to tell these facts." The attitude of the cruel inmates softened some what and they said, "The head of the detention centre, Zhou Fajia mentioned that there was little he could do, and it was the order for the "610 Office" [an agency specifically created to persecute Falun Gong, with absolute power over each level of administration in the Party and all other political and judiciary systems] of the city, which he had to follow."

The "610 Office" of Xiangfan City has instructed forced labour camps and detention centres under its control as follows: "Any Falun Gong practitioner who goes on a hunger strike should be force-fed right away through intubation [tubes forcibly inserted either in nose or down throat] until he or she agrees to begin eating again." Zhou, the head of the No. 2 Detention Centre, and Doctor Ou went to extremes in carrying out the orders from the "610 Office" and they had no mercy on Falun Dafa practitioners Wei Zhengfang, Hu Gaoying, and Fan Shuying who were sixty year old senior citizens.

These practitioners were handcuffed with their hands behind their back, and then taken to the No. 1 Hospital of Xiangfan City for force-feeding. Afterward, they were taken back to the detention centre, and male inmates were called in to hold the practitioners on the chairs. Under the supervision of Zhou Fajia, head of the detention centre, Doctor Ou forcibly fed porridge or salt water to the practitioners. If the practitioner being force-fed resisted, Doctor Ou would increase the pressure of the injector to cause pain and injury to the practitioner's throat, esophagus, and stomach. The hunger striking practitioners were handcuffed for many days. Female inmates in groups of two or four were on duty around the clock. These inmates were assigned to help practitioners when going to the toilet, and vented their anger by beating or cursing practitioners.

Falun Dafa practitioner Tang Jianhua is almost fifty years old. The detention centre has also force-fed her and two other practitioners Liu Weishan and Wang Dongyun by inserting tubes into their stomachs. Forty five year old Liu Weishan has been unlawfully taken to the emergency room of the No. 1 Hospital of Xiangfan City four times, and every time she refused to cooperate. At least four or five people had to hold her down at the same time in order to force-feed her. Fourteen days later, she was on the verge of death, and the authorities had to remove the tubes and unshackle her before sending her home. Wei Zhengfen, Hu Gaoying, Fan Shuying, Wang Dongyun, Tang Jianhua have all returned home by going on hunger strike to appeal for their rights. (Tang Jianhua was unlawfully arrested again by the "610 Office" one and a half months later and sent to the Shayang Labour Camp.)

When Zeng Jihua went on hunger strike, the guards in the No. 2 Detention Centre immediately inserted tubes into her stomach for force-feeding. According to female inmates in the detention centre, many female inmates had been called in to persecute Zeng Jihua. All the cells in the detention center are monitored by surveillance cameras. Inmates who did not follow instructions to participate in the persecution of Zeng Jihua were reprimanded. Even so, some conscientious female inmates said, "I couldn't do anything bad, and would rather be scolded by the guards."

Falun Dafa Zeng Jihua has been held in the No. 2 Detention Centre for over four months, and she has not returned home yet. Her husband and daughter are anxious to see her come home. Since July 20, 1999, Jiang Zemin and his gangs have broken up countless happy families. (Note: Just before this article was sent out, it was learned that Zeng Jihua was given a four-year prison term by unlawful officials in Xiangfan City.)

http://www.clearwisdom.net/emh/articles/2002/12/5/29372.html