Zhang Jianhong

Zhang Jianhong (張建紅) (March 6, 1958 – December 31, 2010), pen name Li Hong (力虹), was a freelance writer, playwright, poet, democracy and human rights activist in China. He was born on March 6, 1958 in Ningbo city of Zhejiang Province.

Zhang was sentenced to "re-education through labor" (RTL) from 1989 to 1991 on charges of "counter-revolutionary propaganda" for his pro-democracy activities.

Journalism

In August 2005 Zhang and his friends founded the literary, news, and poem website Aegean Sea, Aiqinhai.net, of which he was the editor-in-chief. Aegean Sea was renowned for its daring articles but was shut down by the authorities on March 9, 2006. After, that Zhang became a regular contributor to the overseas Chinese '' Epoch Times'' and often published articles depicting current fraud and corruption and criticizing the China Communist Party (CCP).

Articles considered slander by Chinese government

Zhang was accused of writing 60 articles that "slandered the government and China's socialist system" and “inciting subversion of state power.” His articles written in 2006 include:

* The Stolen Organs are Screaming
* Olympic Games will start while Organ Harvest is still increasing
* Facing Organ Harvest, Laws Are Going to Be Legislated''
* Facing Investigation Report, What Will Bush Say?
* Willing to Participate This Historic Investigation
* What Does Wu Hongda Want to Do?
* Spreading Nine-Commentaries & Promoting Quitting-CCP-System are the Barriers that CCP can not Pass
* Return Me Gao Zhisheng, Return Me The Conscience of China

Arrest

Days after Zhang posted an essay online about China's human rights record and, in particular, the treatment of journalists and their sources in the run-up to the 2008 Olympic games, on the evening of September 6, 2006 over 20 CCP policemen raided Zhang's home in Ningbo and arrested him, according to his wife Dong Min.

Sentencing and detainment

On March 19, 2007 Zhang was sentenced for six years in prison plus one year's deprivation of political rights by the Senior People's Court of Zhejiang Province that was controlled by CCP Central Political and Law Commission.

Illness

After that, Zhang was immediately transferred to Huzhou Changhu prison. In Changhu prison Zhang was reportedly suffering from muscle necrosis, a condition that was made worse due to lack of adequate medical care in jail. A medical evaluation determined that he suffered from a rare nerve disorder that could lead to permanent paralysis if not treated. On his doctor's advice, he applied for medical parole on 31 May 2007. There was no response to his application; he was instead transferred to Zhejiang Prison.

As Zhang's health was turning worse in Zhejiang Prison, he was sent to Hangzhou Qingchun Hospital (or Zhengjian Central Prison Hospital). It was reported that Zhang's neuron disease is considered incurable. The illness led to his partial paralysis and continued to deteriorate despite transfer to the General Hospital of Zhejiang Prison in Hangzhou City. He could not eat and was on an IV drip. His life was at stake.

Dong Min repeatedly applied medical parole for him, but CCP rejected the appeal.

Support from abroad

Since Zhang was arrested, many overseas human rights supporters appealed for him.

Medical parole and death

On June 5, 2010 at 5pm, Lihong was released on medical parole and was sent to a hospital in Ningbo, Lihong's hometown. Lihong was in critical condition, and his family could not afford the huge medical cost. On June 9 it was confirmed that the Chinese authority had blocked two donation accounts for accepting overseas funds. He died on New Year's Eve 2010. His body was quickly cremated by the authorities, and 10 of his friends were put under house arrest to prevent them from holding a memorial for him.

References

External links

*

Open letter to Hillary Clinton on eve of human rights dialogue with China (en.rsf.org)

cpj.org

Cyber-dissident Zhang Jianhong’s condition worsening (rfaunplugged.wordpress.com)

China: Concerns for Zhang Jianhong's health (englishpen.org)

{{DEFAULTSORT:Zhang, Jianhong
1958 births
2010 deaths
Chinese dramatists and playwrights
People's Republic of China poets
Writers from Ningbo
Poets from Zhejiang
20th-century Chinese poets
20th-century Chinese dramatists and playwrights