Document - China: Health professional action: Zhang Shanguang\n\n
Public
AI index: ASA 17/006/2006 Distribution: PG/SC
To: Health Professional Network
From: Health and Human Rights Team
Date: 22 February 2006
Health professional action
Zhang Shanguang
China
(Also see letter-writing actions ASA 17/003/2003, 15 January 2003, and ASA 17/37/2000, 6 September 2000)
Summary
Amnesty International is very concerned for the health of Zhang Shanguang, a prisoner of conscience in Hunan No. 1 Prison, China, who is suffering from active tuberculosis (TB). He is reported to be coughing persistently. He has also lost most of his teeth through decay. Zhang Shanguang is said to be receiving medical treatment only when his condition becomes critical; once his health improves, the treatment is stopped – in contravention of WHO recommended treatment for TB. Amnesty International calls for Zhang Shanguang to be provided with appropriate medical treatment and for his immediate and unconditional release.
Background information
DOTS treatment
A commonly used (and WHO recommended) approach to the treatment of TB is DOTS (directly observed treatment short course) in which the drugs of choice -- the most common anti-TB drugs used are isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, streptomycin, ethambutol and thioacetazone – are taken by the patient for six to eight months. If treatment is inconsistent the patient may develop multi-drug resistant TB, which is more difficult and expensive to treat. Whilst receiving irregular treatment Zhang Shanguang’s health is at further risk; other prisoners and prison staff are also at risk of contracting the disease.
Political background
Zhang Shanguang, a former teacher and trade union activist, is believed to have contracted TB during a previous detention from 1989 to 1996 for his involvement in the 1989 pro-democracy protests. In 1998 he was detained again, convicted and sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment plus five years’ deprivation of political rights for "illegally supplying intelligence to hostile organizations". Zhang was the founder of the local ‘Shu Pu Association to Protect the Rights and Interests of Laid-off workers’ and it is believed that his arrest was partly in connection with his plans to register his organization.
Contact with family
Zhang’s family is reportedly only able to visit him once a year, because the journey to the prison takes them three days. The visits are limited to about 10 minutes each time. Zhang is not allowed telephone contact with his family, and cannot receive any letters. According to ex-prisoners he is monitored closely at all times, has little freedom of movement and is not even allowed to talk to other inmates.
Recommended action
Please write to the authorities below, using the following as a guideline:
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Explain that you are a health professional and are writing about the case of Zhang Shanguang in Hunan No. 1 prison;
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Express concern at reports that Zhang Shanguang is suffering from tuberculosis and that his treatment reportedly has been inconsistent, in contradiction with WHO recommended treatment;
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Urge the authorities to provide him with access to full and appropriate medical care immediately;
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Asking the authorities to allow Zhang to communicate with his family at regular intervals both by correspondence as well as by receiving visits, in accordance with the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners;
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Urging the authorities to release Zhang Shanguang, imprisoned solely for the non-violent expression of his political opinion consistent with his rights under international law;
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Invite a response.
Addresses
Governor of the Hunan Provincial People’s Government
Zhou Bohua Shengzhang
Hunansheng Renmin Zhengfu
69 Wuyizhonglu
Changshashi 410011
Hunansheng
China
Prime Minister of the People's Republic of China
WEN Jiabao Guojia Zongli
The State Council
9 Xihuangcheng Genbeijie
Beijingshi 100032
People's Republic of China
Fax: +86 10 65292345 (c/o Ministry of Communication)
Email: gazette@mail.gov.cn
Salutation: Your Excellency
Director of Hunan Provincial Prison
Liu Wanqing Juzhnag
Hunansheng Jianyu Guanliju
98 Bayi si Lu
Changsha shi
Hunan sheng 410001
Tel: +86 731 4592781
Email: WebMaster@hunan.gov.cn (c/o Hunan Provincial People's Government)
Salutation: Dear Director
Director of Prison Management Department of Minister of Justice of the
People's Republic of China
Zhao Lei Juzhang
10 Chaoyangmen Nandajie
Chaoyangqu
Beijingshi 100020
People's Republic of China
Fax: +86 10 64729863 or 65292345
Email: minister@legalinfo.gov.cn or pfmaster@legalinfo.gov.cn
Salutation: Dear Director
Please also write to diplomatic representatives of China accredited to your country.
If you receive no reply within six weeks of sending your letter, please send a follow-up letter seeking a response. Please send copies of any letters you receive to the International Secretariat, attention of Health and Human Rights Team.
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