Christian Daily
Lorraine Caballero
02 February, 2017 2:59 am
■ Due to a widespread crackdown, two Christian human rights lawyers were arrested and subjected to electrocution and other forms of torture while inside prison, China Aid has recently discovered.
Human rights lawyers Li Heping and Wang Quanzhang were detained in 2015 in connection with their defense work. Li, who is currently at the Tianjin Municipal Detention Center No. 1, was previously held at an unknown place for six months before he was formally arrested on Jan. 20 of last year for alleged subversion of state power, China Aid details.
On Jan. 23, Li’s wife Wang Qiaoling said her husband and the second lawyer were tortured using electric batons and other methods. Li reportedly fainted a number of times because of what he was put through in prison.
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| Buildings are seen through smog behind an unfinished bridge near the Yujiapu financial centre, in Tianjin, China February 22, 2016. (Reuters / Jason Lee) |
In a story posted on The Guardian on June last year, Terence Halliday recalled how he met with his friend Li for lunch a few days before the lawyer disappeared. Li had predicted that the Chinese government would want to disband his informal anti-torture group because it was considered as a challenge to its authority.
A Chinese security agent once told Li that Beijing sees him as someone “more dangerous than Bin Laden” because of his activist movements. Halliday lamented the government’s violent response to the lawyers’ demand for stronger laws and constitution.
Even before Li went missing during the massive crackdown, the human rights lawyer told Halliday that he would most likely be tortured. Once a person is detained in China, he cannot be reached by family members, lawyers or even international diplomats.
In light of the situation, Halliday thinks forgiveness and love is the only answer to the brutality, repression and fear imposed by the government. Li once told his friend that they have to forgive police and government officials who hurt them.
In addition, Li said being detained is like living in a “smaller prison,” but being released is also tantamount to living in a “bigger prison.” Halliday ended his story by saying how authorities treat Li and the other human rights lawyers will reflect the future of liberty in China.
ChinaAid Media Team
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