Call for immediate release of cyber-dissident Li Hong on humanitarian grounds

Reporters Without Borders today repeated its appeal for the release of cyber-dissident Zhang Jianhong, pen-name Li Hong, so he can be taken to hospital and treated appropriately for his illness. The Chinese authorities on 2 January 2008 rejected the cyber-dissident's second request for his release. “The Chinese authorities have for more than seven months remained unmoved by the request from Li Hong to be allowed to get treatment in hospital,” the worldwide press freedom organisation said. He is suffering from muscular dystrophy and his health has been seriously deteriorating since August 2007. He is in danger of being left paralysed. Prison authorities at Zhejiang jail told his wife, Dong Min, in a letter that Li Hong, “is receiving appropriate treatment in the prison hospital”. Li was sentenced on 19 March 2007 to six years in prison by a court in Ningpo, Zhejiang province in south-eastern China after he was convicted of writing “articles defaming the Chinese government and calling for agitation to overthrow the government". He in 2005 founded the literary website Aiqinhai.org and regularly posted articles on the Weilai Zhongguo forum and on foreign-based Chinese websites. The release of a sick prisoner depends on his pathology, the treatment he should receive and an assessment of the situation by prison officials. They have said they will not undertake a further medical examination as Dong Min had asked. Li's lawyer, Li Jianqiang received a letter in June 2007 in which his client described his state of health: “My illness is extremely rare. There is currently no effective medication or treatment. My health has worsened this last month and my muscles are atrophying. I can hardly move my arms any more and this will extend to my legs. If it goes on, I will suffer the terrible experience of being completely paralysed like the British physicist, Stephen Hawking". Chinese version of the letter