************************************************************** IFCSS Headquarters News Release No. 5114 Feb 28, 1994 ************************************************************** Independent Federation of Chinese Students and Scholars (IFCSS) 733 15th Street, N.W., Suite 440, Washington, D.C.20005 Tel. (202)347-0017 Fax: (202)347-0018 Email: ifcss@wam.umd.edu Trade Subcomittee Hearing on MFN (II) The following letters are part of Heping Shi's testimony before the Subcommittee on Trade, Committee on Ways and Means. Letter #1 Dear Mr. President: I am a Chinese middle school student. This year I will be seventeen years old. My father is a university professor. Because he gave a speech during the political movement in 1989, he was arrested and sentenced to eight years in prison. These past four years my mother and I have lived a bitter life and have missed him dearly. We must endure jeers from those around us. Today, the fact that I have the opportunity to pick up my pen and write to you--a leader who represents a new hope--makes me very happy. The memories are bitter, but I can never allow myself to forget the night of June 14, 1989. I was thirteen and was all alone in our home. Maybe you think my parents were not being responsible, leaving a child alone at home. But on that terrible night my only hope was that they would be as far away from me as possible--I didn't worry about never seeing them again. But let me continue with my story: That day my heart was beating wildly, as if it knew something strange was going to happen. I didn't realize that this was the night I would lose my childhood, my naivete and my happiness. Around twelve o'clock I was awakened by the sound of glass breaking. My first thought was that a burglar was breaking in, so I just curled up into a ball not knowing what to do. As the sound of breaking glass and voices got louder, like a robot, I walked to the door and opened it. Many uniformed police charged in, followed by men who looked like officials. They had a big spotlight and a video camera (they were planning to film my father being taken from his bed). When they had completed a thorough search of the house and did not find my father, they circled around me and started questioning and threatening me viciousously. I don't know where I found the bravery to answer them--maybe it's because I have a drop of my brave father's blood in me--but I did not tell them what they wanted to know. They cursed me violently and then left. I awoke from this numb state of mind to find myself weak and without energy. I was shaking from grief. Crouched down on the cold floor, I started crying. The winter wind, feeling no sorrow for me, blew in from the broken window panes. Even now I can still see myself on that dark night kneeling on the floor covered with black boot prints, crying...crying... That night was only the beginning. I heard the television anchorman delightedly announce the news of the capture of my father. I was alone and had to face the arguments and the questioning of over twenty policemen. During the following year the only thing I knew was that my father was locked up with murderers and that I would never be able to see him or hear him call my name again. I cannot even receive a short letter from him. I can only look at the high walls and metal bars that separate us. The only feeling I have is that my heart is slowly bleeding to death. How many more children like me are in China? Why must we suffer this kind of torment and pain? Can you give me an answer? I am waiting with sincere hope! Finally, I would like for you to give my regards to your daughter. I wish that children all over the world could show the same sweet, cute smile that she shows. A middle school student March 1993 Letter #2 Dear Mr. President: How are you? I am a Chinese woman. I am also a Chinese who has met with unfortunate circumstances. My husband was a university professor. Because he supported the students in 1989 and spoke out against the repression, he was arrested and sentenced to eight years in prison. The day of his sentencing was June 26, 1990, two days after Fang Li Zhi left China. Early in the morning the sky opened and it began to rain steadily. I stared at my husband as he was led off the prisoner's truck in handcuffs--I could not believe what I was seeing: within one year, how could an energetic, vigorous man be turned into a pale prisoner in handcuffs? Staring at the truck, I could only try to hold back the tears and pray silently in my heart. These past few years I've experienced life's suffering: the loneliness of missing someone, the jeers and laughter of others, and the burden of raising a family on my own. In 1990 I was hospitalized for arthritis. At first, the doctor refused to treat me because my husband was in prison. At that time, I was denied my right to medical treatment simply because I was related to a prisoner! The hospital I was admitted to was next door to the prison where my husband was kept. At night, when the security personnel were off duty I would go up to the roof of the hospital and look over at the grounds of the prison. I tried to guess behind which barred window my husband was being kept. Often I sat there until daybreak. I wanted to yell out to the sky and to the earth: "What crime did my husband commit? Why must we suffer this way?" After my husband was imprisoned, the physical and mental stress brought on a tumor in my uterus that required a hysterectomy. I went to many clinics asking doctors to sign the paperwork for my surgery, but was ignored. To obtain medical treatment, I had to get up very early every morning to stand in a long line of patients waiting to see the gynecologist. I could only swallow my tears. When I was finally admitted, I had no choice but to insert my own catheter and walk into the surgery room. The Chinese government is always talking about how they value human rights. But because of my husband's experience and the things happening around me, my eyes have been opened: China does not have even basic human rights! This is especially true in this city--closed off to the influence of the world's conscience. Corrupt officials abuse their power, from the provincial governor all the way down to the local security officials. They use whatever power they hold to their own advantage while breaking the backs of the people. Even a simple procedure such as applying for an identification card could take years and would mean putting up with dirty looks and scorn from the bureaucrats. This is China's current human rights situation. The most unconscionable thing is that the Chinese government says one thing but does another; they do one thing in full view of the public and another thing behind our backs. What if you were to ask the Provincial High Court, "Why was Wang Dan sentenced to four years in prison and my husband was sentenced to eight? Wasn't this for the same crime, and under the same law?" The answer would be: "Why do you compare your husband with Wang Dan? You are lucky he was not executed like the others!" This is the state of China's legal system! If we try to sue, the courts will not even accept our case. Their answer is, "The policy from above is that these cases won't be heard. You can sue eight hundred times and it won't make any difference!" That is the answer I get from a place which claims to be "The People's Court." This is how they treat the people! Look at those people who want justice: dressed in rags, grey-haired, or in tears. They were ordered around and pushed about by those who hold the law in their hands. I want to yell out: "People! How can you bear such humiliation?" Even if I did yell, what difference would it make? These public servants who supposedly "Serve the People" have unlimited power--people mean nothing to them. People like my husband, who loves freedom, had his freedom taken away. While he was in detention, he was even denied water. People like my husband, who loves life, had his rights taken away. Even a simple act of writing a letter home is often denied. The only thing the current government respects is international opinion and pressure from the U.S. government. In order that the many other wives and children can be reunited with their loved ones, we sincerely hope, Mr. President, that when you consider your policy toward China you will place priority on China's human rights situation. If unconditional MFN is given to China it will only allow China to more openly oppress dissidents and give it more opportunities to trample the human rights of the Chinese people. This is the opposite of what the U.S. and you, Mr. President, are working toward. Please open your heart and show your care for the future of the Chinese people! The wife of a persecuted person March 1993 Letter #3 Dear President Clinton: I sincerely hope that China's MFN status will bring about economic development in China as well as human rights improvements. My husband was sentenced to seven years in prison for participating in the June Fourth movement and for openly opposing the massacre. He organized, participated in, and gave a speech at a memorial service for those killed in the massacre. If this type of peaceful expression of opposition warrants a seven-year long sentence, then what about other more serious political activities? When my husband was arrested, our daughter was only a little over one year old. The past few years my daughter and I have lived a lonely, hard life relying on the assistance of friends. The Chinese government has been releasing famous political prisoners on the one hand, while at the same time arresting others. Conditions for other political prisoners have not improved at all. I am hoping that President Clinton will add human rights conditions to China's MFN status, and save us from our bitter situation. Otherwise, my husband as well as other prisoners with longer sentences will not have any hope. Is it possible that the U.S. can watch the horrible human rights situation in China and the misery of political prisoners and their families without doing anything? Can you give them MFN with no conditions and allow them to continue to trample on human rights and the world's conscience? I am sure you will not allow this to happen. I am confident that the fairness and progress that you represent will be reflected in China's human rights situation. March 18, 1993 Letter #4 Dear President Clinton: I am a reporter. After the Tiananmen massacre my name was placed on the wanted list. I was arrested but the police did not have any evidence against me. The police were determined to discipline me, so under the orders of the provincial party organization and without any respect for the law, I was placed under detention for thirteen and a half months. No reason was given and I never appeared in court. During my detention I was subjected to all kinds of torture and mistreatment. I was not allowed outside and was not allowed access to sunlight. Even time to use the toilet was strictly controlled to the shortest time possible. The food was never washed and after each meal there was a thick layer of sand and dirt on the bottom of the plate. Over ten prisoners were crammed into a 3 x 12-foot cell. Because food was scarce and there were not enough places for everyone to sleep, there was often fighting among the prisoners. A steel worker (arrested for participation in the June 4th movement) suffered a burst intestine because of a fight over sleeping space. The physical suffering from poor prison conditions did not compare with the mental suffering. The detention center where I was placed was considered "progressive." Beating of prisoners was a common occurrence. I opposed the guards' personal persecution of me and attempted to stop them from beating the students who were arrested during the June 4 movement. Because of this I was repeatedly hit and kicked and beat with a baton. My hands were placed in handcuffs which that were connected to a chain over 100 pounds in weight. I was put in a cold, damp cell and was not given humane medical treatment. I became completely paralyzed as a result. Finally, I was given medicine by an untrained prisoner. Though I can stand up now, I still have serious medical problems as a consequence: On cold days and nights my legs and shoulders are lifeless. My memory is greatly affected, my teeth have all rotted, my hands shake constantly, and my waist is constantly in pain due to a spinal injury. The doctor says that if I do not receive proper medical treatment, I could be paralyzed again. I have brought my case before every level of the judicial branch, but my personal appeal has been ignored. Now, I not only am not able to work, I do not even have a chance to get a job (since I am a June 4 "criminal"). I have no money for medical care. I must try and support my family, but I do not have the resources to even take care of myself, much less others too. Please Mr. President, when giving MFN, remember that China should give me, and others who have been treated like me, at least our minimum human rights so we can keep on living! March 18, 1993 ***End of Statement***