Human rights advocates criticise China for torturing detained writer, journalist
Chinese Australian Writer Yang Hengjun and Journalist Zhang Zhan Face Mistreatment in China
Human rights advocates have raised concerns about the treatment of Chinese Australian writer Yang Hengjun and journalist Zhang Zhan by Chinese authorities. Sophie Richardson from the Chinese Human Rights Defenders highlighted China's history of mistreating detainees. Yang, a democracy advocate, was secretly tried for espionage and sentenced to a suspended death sentence. Zhang Zhan, who reported on the COVID-19 outbreak, was re-arrested after her release.
Yang has been detained for six years, with his family claiming he has been denied basic necessities. His health has worsened since being moved to Beijing Municipal No. 2 Prison. Despite his deteriorating condition, authorities have refused medical treatment. Yang's former adviser, Feng Chongyi, stated that Yang does not trust the legal system and will not appeal his sentence. The Australian government, including Foreign Minister Penny Wong, has condemned Yang's treatment and called for medical care, but no improvements have been seen.
Doubts Revealed
Yang Hengjun
Yang Hengjun is a writer from China who also has Australian citizenship. He is known for supporting democracy, which means he believes in a system where people have the power to choose their leaders.
Zhang Zhan
Zhang Zhan is a journalist from China. She became known for reporting on the COVID-19 situation in China, which means she shared information about the virus and how it was affecting people.
Mistreatment
Mistreatment means treating someone badly or unfairly. In this context, it means that Yang Hengjun and Zhang Zhan are not being treated well by the authorities in China.
Espionage
Espionage is a serious crime that involves spying or secretly gathering information, usually for a government. Yang Hengjun was accused of this, which means the authorities believe he was secretly collecting information.
Suspended death sentence
A suspended death sentence means that a person has been sentenced to death, but the execution is delayed. If the person behaves well, the sentence might be changed to a less severe punishment.
Human rights advocates
Human rights advocates are people or groups who work to protect the basic rights and freedoms that all humans should have, like the right to speak freely and be treated fairly.
Australian government
The Australian government is the group of people who make decisions for Australia, the country where Yang Hengjun is also a citizen. They are concerned about how he is being treated in China.
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