Since being sentenced in September 2025 to another four years in prison, journalist Zhang Zhan’s health has deteriorated to an alarming level. She suffers from serious gastric illness and has lost significant weight, becoming extremely weak. She has reportedly been on hunger strike against her arbitrary detention since January 2025. Her condition is life threatening, and urgent intervention in her case is critical; yet, persistent refusal to provide her access to a lawyer of her choice has hampered efforts to document her situation and appeal her conviction. She must be released immediately and, pending her release, she must have access to adequate healthcare, provided in compliance with medical ethics.
