Documento - China: Further Information on medical concern/ fear of torture and ill-treatment

PUBLIC AI Index: ASA 17/058/2007

14 December 2007

Further Information on UA 156/06 (ASA 17/032/2006, 2 June 2006) and follow-upS (ASA 17/038/2006, 10 July 2006; ASA 17/060/2006, 1 December 2006; ASA 17/011/2007, 8 March 2007; ASA 17/016/2007, 19 April 2007) - Medical concern/Fear of torture and ill-treatment

CHINA Ablikim Abdiriyim (m) aged 33

Alim Abdiriyim (m) aged 31

Rushangul Abdiriyim (f) aged 37

Kaysar (m), aged approx 39

Rayila (f), aged 25

Razia (f), aged 16

Sardar Kaysar (m), aged 10

Epar Alim (f), aged 5

Turghun (m), aged 9

Kahar Abdiriyim (m) aged 42

Mamat Kadeer (m)

Ablikim Abdiriyim, third son of Uighur activist Rebiya Kadeer, had difficulty recognizing members of his family during their 15-minute visit on 6 December, according to reliable reports. He had twice been in a coma since he was imprisoned, and fainted frequently. Chinese authorities reportedly attributed Ablikim Abdiriyim’s failing health to a heart condition, and suggested that his condition could become worse if he continued to refuse to “cooperate with the authorities” and “admit his criminal guilt”. The prison authorities' continuing ill-treatment of Ablikim Abdiriyim, and denial of adequate medical treatment, is putting his life at risk.

This is the first time family has been allowed to visit Ablikim Abdiriyim since he was detained in June 2006. He is now held in Bajiahu Prison, near Urumchi, capital of the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (XUAR).

Family members were also allowed to visit Ablikim’s brother Alim Abduriyim, for 40 minutes on 6 December. Prison officials reportedly told them that he had been more cooperative, and had confessed that he was a criminal. Amnesty International is concerned that this “confession” was extracted through torture.

In April 2007 Ablikim Abdiriyim had been sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment on charges of "instigating and engaging in secessionist activities". According to the Chinese state media, Ablikim Abdiriyim confessed to the charges during the trial. Amnesty International believes that these confessions were extracted under torture. Ablikim Abdiriyim was reportedly denied legal representation at the trial and had no access to a lawyer. According to reliable sources, Ablikim sustained serious injuries as a result of beatings and other ill-treatment in custody. He was reportedly seen being carried out of Tianshan Detention Centre on a stretcher on 26 November 2006.

Rebiya Kadeer's family has been targeted by the authorities since she was first detained as a prisoner of conscience in 1999. This intensified after she was released on medical parole on 17 March 2005, and left China for the USA. Rebiya Kadeer claims that before she was released she was warned that if she engaged with members of the Uighur ethnic community or spoke publicly about "sensitive issues", her "businesses and children would be finished". On 27 November 2006, the day after Rebiya Kadeer was elected president of the World Uyghur Congress (WUC), the court sentenced Alim Abdiriyim and his brother Kahar Abdiriyim to fines amounting to millions of US dollars, and Alim to seven years’ imprisonment on charges of tax evasion. In addition, at the beginning of April, the Chinese authorities reportedly began a process to assess and liquidate the Kadeer family businesses. Rebiya Kadeer has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

Amnesty International believes that the pattern of retribution against Rebiya Kadeer’s family for her human rights activities casts serious doubt on the credibility of the police investigation and the fairness of the trial process.

The Chinese authorities have used the global "war on terror" to justify harsh repression against the ethnic Uighur community in Xinjiang and to deny them their human rights. Uighurs are the only known group in China sentenced to death and executed for political crimes.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Chinese, English or your own language:

- expressing continued concern at reports that Ablikim Abdiriyim is denied adequate medical treatment for injuries sustained due to torture or ill-treatment in custody, and urging the authorities to ensure that he is given the medical treatment he needs immediately;

- calling on the authorities to guarantee that Ablikim, Alim and Kahar Abdiriyim will be given the opportunity to appeal against their sentences, given access to lawyers of their choice and court documents, and given a fair hearing if they choose to appeal;

- calling on the authorities to launch a full, independent and impartial investigation into the reported beatings of Ablikim and Alim Abdiriyim and to bring those responsible to justice;

- calling on the authorities to put an end to the human rights violations directed at Rebiya Kadeer’s family, including ill-treatment in detention, police harassment and other restrictions on their freedom of expression.

APPEALS TO:

Prime Minister

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

Chairman of the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Regional People's Government

Ismail TILIWALDI Zhuxi

Xinjiang Weiwuer Zizhiqu Renmin Zhengfu

2 Zhongshanlu

Wulumuqishi 830041, Xinjiang Weiwuer Zizhiqu, People's Republic of China

Email: master@xinjiang.gov.cn

Salutation: Dear Chairman

COPIES TO:

Mayor of Wulumuqi Municipal People's Government

Shokrat Zakir Shizhang

Wulumuqi Shizhengfu Bangongting

1316 Kelamayi Donglu

Wulumuqi Shi 830063, Xinjiang Weiwuer Zizhiqu, People's Republic of China

Fax: +86 991 4689654

Salutation: Dear Mayor

and to diplomatic representatives of CHINA accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 24 January 2007.