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AAAS Human Rights Action Network

Date:	5 July 1996
Case Number:	ch9430_zim
Victim:	Chen Ziming
Country:	China
Subject:	Economist Denied Medical Attention
Issues:	Freedom from inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; Freedom of opinion and expression; Right to liberty and security of the person
Type of alert:	Update

FACTS OF THE CASE:

Economist Chen Ziming continues to be denied medical treatment. His health continues to decline, and there is now concern that his cancer may have spread and that he is denied proper medical attention in prison. Chen Ziming, former director of the Beijing Research Institute of Social and Economic Sciences, was sentenced to 13 years' imprisonment in 1991 for "counter-revolutionary" activities and for allegedly masterminding the pro-democracy demonstrations of 4 June 1989. After being released on medical parole in May 1994, he underwent surgery and received radiotherapy for prostate cancer. During this time he was under virtual house arrest and was then re-imprisoned in June 1995.

Chen Ziming is a veteran pro-democracy activist and took part in the 1979 "Democracy Wall" protests when he worked on the influential journal Beijing Spring. In 1986, Chen Ziming and a fellow activist Wang Juntao (who was the subject of 3 AAASHRAN alerts on 25 April 1994, 21 January 1994, and 21 November 1993) set up the Beijing Research Institute of Social and Economic Sciences as an independent social science institute, which was closed down after both were arrested. Chen Ziming's wife was also arrested following the Tiananmen Square protests and was held for over a year before being released without charge. She lost her baby in detention.

Reportedly, when Chen Ziming was released on medical parole in May 1994, his family was asked to cover the costs of his medical treatment unless he admitted guilt. He stated that he had never and would never admit guilt. On 27 August 1995, Chen Ziming's bank account was frozen by the Public Security Bureau, thereby denying him the means to pay for any necessary medical expenses. As stated by several doctors from the description of Chen Ziming's current symptoms, his cancer may well have spread, and he is in urgent need of appropriate medical treatment. He is reported to be very weak and without medication or any proper medical attention.

The imprisonment and denial of medical treatment of Chen Ziming violate several human rights internationally protected by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, approved without opposition by the United Nations General Assembly on 10 December 1948. They include:

The right to life, liberty, and security of person (Article 3);
Freedom from cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (Article 5);
Freedom of opinion and expression (Article 19); and
Freedom of peaceful assembly and association (Article 20).
[Source of information on this case is Amnesty International.]
RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Please send faxes, telegrams, and airmail letters:
- calling for Chen Ziming's immediate and unconditional release;
- noting that he was earlier released on medical parole during which time he underwent surgery for prostate cancer and that there are fears his cancer has spread;
- expressing concern that Chen Ziming, who is suffering from cancer, is being denied appropriate medical attention and is said to be without medication;
- seeking assurances that he will be released immediately to allow medical investigation and treatment.
APPEAL AND INQUIRY MESSAGES SHOULD BE SENT TO:
COPIES SENT TO:
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