(Minghui.org) Shenzhen Falun Gong practitioner Mr. Li Wei was arrested on September 30, 2013, for handing out Shen Yun Performing Arts DVDs at a shopping mall. The Huizhou Police Station and Domestic Security Division concealed the fact that they were detaining him.

Mr. Li's family hired a lawyer, who found out that Mr. Li was being held in the Shenzhen Brainwashing Center. The Luohu District Political and Legal Affairs Committee in Shenzhen and the brainwashing center have so far refused to let his lawyer see him. Mr. Li's mother has written to the authorities pleading for justice for her son.

Conditions in the Brainwashing Center

Shenzhen Brainwashing Center is also known as “Shenzhen Legal School.” To “transform” the Falun Gong practitioners, the staff slanders and beats them, deprives them of sleep, and forces them to take drugs that damage the central nervous system. They work in three shifts to keep up the pressure. They force the practitioners to stand for extended periods of time at attention, with their noses touching the wall.

At first, the guards allowed them three to four hours of sleep. Later, they begin tormenting the practitioners 24 hours a day. Practitioners are not allowed to close their eyes and are forced to stand every day. The guards close all the windows so outsiders will not hear the curses, beatings, and screams.

Mr. Li's Mother's Letter

The following letter addressed to different government entities in Shenzhen was written by Mr. Li Wei's mother:

Greetings: At the age of 70, I should be living comfortably in my final years. But that's not the case. At present, I live alone in an empty house, and every day is a struggle for me. I haven't seen my son for three months, because he is being illegally held in a brainwashing center.

My son is over 50, and I am extremely worried about his health. It's winter now and I don't know how he is. I am sure you can imagine what an elderly mother is going through. I am writing this letter in hopes that you will speak up for the truth and uphold justice.

My son is Li Wei. He greatly benefited from practicing Falun Dafa and had a happy family and a good job. However, in July 1999, Jiang Zemin and Zhou Yongkang began to persecute Falun Dafa practitioners who believe in Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. My son has been arrested and detained several times. His children, who live with his wife in the United States, can't come back to see him due to the persecution. For many years, I have lived with my son and we took care of each other.

On September 30, 2013, he went to a shopping mall to hand out Shen Yun Performing Arts DVDs to passersby. Shen Yun Performing Arts dance company promotes traditional Chinese culture. It tours around the world and is welcomed by all for its sublime beauty. Unfortunately, he was reported, arrested, and taken to a local police station. In the past few months, no one has ever told me where he is being held.

I recently hired a lawyer to defend him. The lawyer went to the Huizhou Detention Center and the National Security Brigade and found out my son was taken to the Luohu District in Shenzhen and is being detained in the Xili Brainwashing Center.

On December 30, 2013, the lawyer went to the Luohu District Political and Legal Affairs Committee. He was told that to see his client, he must prepare a written document and get approved by the 610 Office. In the afternoon of December 30, the lawyer went to the Xili Brainwashing Center attempting to see my son. He was turned away.

The lawyer has yet to be able to meet with my son. According to the law, it's a lawyer's right to see his client. I urge the officials of the municipal government of Shenzhen to follow the law and protect the rights and interests of the people, and allow the lawyer to see my son. All of our friends and relatives are deeply concerned about his wellbeing.

The Chinese New Year is nearing, and I want to be with my son. Since I was told of his arrest and detention, I haven't been able to eat or sleep well. I can't imagine what kind of torture and pain he has had to endure. How can the brainwashing center "reform" a person who is already good and kind? Is believing in Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance a violation of the law?

Falun Dafa is the “Buddha Fa” that teaches people to be kind. It has spread to over 100 countries. In Hong Kong and Taiwan, where we share the same ancestors, practicing Falun Gong is legal. I believe China will follow them one day. Our legal system will continue to improve. If government officials safeguard the interests of the people, tragedies like the one that is happening to my son won't transpire again.

The Chinese Forced Labor Camp System is now been abolished. This is a new stage that leads to a nation ruled by law. But I can't imagine why my son is now in a brainwashing center.

I hope you will listen to an elderly mother's heartfelt plea, try to understand my son's grievances, uphold justice and conscience, and truly do what is right for our citizens.

Li Wei 's mother January 16, 2014

Previous Forced Labor Sentences

Mr. Li Wei, 50, was sentenced to forced labor twice for a total of five years. The first time was in Sanshui Forced Labor Camp and the second time was in the Second Forced Labor Camp of Shenzhen.

Mr. Li's wife and two children live in the United States. Due to the persecution, Mr. Li is unable to reunite with his family. He eventually moved to Huizhou City, where he lived with his elderly mother and took care of her.

Partial List of Parties Involved in Persecuting Mr. Li:

Domestic Security Division of Luohu District in Shenzhen City: +86-755-84460050, +86-755-25777761 Zhou Huaichun(周怀春), male, principal, Xili Brainwashing Center: +86-755-26001761 Wang Fei(王飞), male, director of the 610 Office: +86-13902902989 (Cell)

Please refer to the original Chinese text for more names and telephone numbers.