77-Year Old Mother in Liaoning Faces Harassment Following Lost Appeal

On September 20, 2024 Chinese security forces attempted to take Ms. Wei Xiuying, a 77-year-old from Jinzhou City, Liaoning Province, back into custody after she lost an appeal against a five-year prison sentence for practicing Falun Gong on April 19, 2023. Ms. Wei had been released on bail following her arrest on May 25, 2021 due to her poor physical condition that stemmed from torture during a previous seven-year sentence.

Ms. Wei has suffered several previous detainments for appealing for the right to practice Falun Gong. Following an arrest in April 2009, she was sentenced to seven years in prison. She was tortured to the brink of death and was released two years early in 2014. Ms. Wei’s case was submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Council in August 2009.

Tortured During Previous Sentence

During her imprisonment, guards instructed some of the most brutal inmates to torture Ms. Wei. She endured sleep deprivation, physical beatings, and was slapped across the face. When she experienced chest pain, the inmates hit her chest and kicked her in her private areas. After she fainted from one of these beatings, they forced her to sign a renunciation of Falun Gong by grabbing her hand and making her sign against her will. Nineteen inmates were assigned to monitor and torment her daily.

The torture has left Ms. Wei physically debilitated, and the CCP further targeted her financially by stripping her of her pension and heating subsidy for retired workers.

Family Suffering

Ms. Wei’s persecution has also taken a toll on her family. Her daughter, Zhao Bing, was detained and subjected to physical and verbal harassment. The trauma left Zhao suffering from severe depression, resulting in significant weight loss and emotional distress. Even today, Zhao requires ongoing care due to the long-lasting effects of the abuse she endured.

Falun Gong’s Impact on Ms. Wei’s Health and Well-being

Before practicing Falun Gong, Ms. Wei struggled with several health conditions, including a leg disability, heart and lung issues, and neck problems. Frequent hospital visits and rising medical costs were a heavy burden. However, after adopting Falun Gong’s slow-moving exercises and spiritual teachings in 1997, she regained her health and transformed from a hot-tempered individual into someone who practiced kindness and understanding.

Renewed Persecution

Even after her release from her previous prison term, Chinese security forces did not leave Ms. Wei in peace. She was re-arrested on May 25, 2021, after being followed by police. Although released on bail due to poor health, officers continued to harass her. In 2022, her case was submitted to the Linghai City Procuratorate.

On February 24, 2023, Ms. Wei was sentenced to another five years in prison, along with a 10,000-yuan (1,400 USD) fine. Since then, there have been repeated attempts to take her back into custody, the latest occurring on September 20, 2024.