A description of how the legal system functions in China, when the authorities allow its use.

A Falun Gong Practitioner's Husband Tells of the Persecution His Wife Endures

By Zhang Xianqun from Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China

My name is Zhang Xianqun; I am the husband of Ms. Jin Meihua, a Falun Gong practitioner. My wife had previously suffered from cancer. We had tried many medical treatments, but none cured her, and her temper became worse and worse. Once she started practicing Falun Gong in 1996 the cancer disappeared, and she became very nice and gentle. Her dramatic changes brought love and joy to our family.

When the persecution started in 1999, our telephone was constantly monitored. I complained to the police because of the noise it caused. In 2001, my wife, Ms. Jin Meihua, was sentenced to four years in prison. Her father died during that time and did not get to see his daughter before he passed away. The enormous pressure and difficulties made me feel lost. I knew my wife did not do anything wrong, but I could not explain to our young daughter why she had lost her mom to a stay in prison.

If a person can be arrested and sentenced just for being a good person, what is the meaning of life? In my extreme disappointment I started gambling. Later on, when my wife was released, our once-wealthy family had reached the edge of bankruptcy. When she returned in 2004, my wife treated me with great tolerance and love. Her attitude shocked me. I felt regret for what I did. I knew practicing "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance" in Falun Gong had changed her.

I thought our life would be happy, now that my nice wife was back and our lovely daughter was happy. Unfortunately, on June 5, 2007, agents from the Xiacheng District Police Department in Hangzhou City arrested my wife again and illegally searched our home.

In mid-June I hired a Beijing attorney, Mr. Mo Shaoping, to represent my wife. However, when the attorney requested to meet with my wife according to law, Xiacheng District Police Department officials refused the request, saying Jin Meihua's case involved "state secrets." The attorney communicated with the police department officials in writing and informed them that, according to law, the police department did not have the authority to determine whether or not a case involves state secrets and the level of secrecy it involves; that this is a determination to be made by authorities at the provincial level. In addition, if the case eventually will have an open trial, that means the case does not involve any state secrets and that it is therefore illegal for the police department officials to refuse our attorney's request to meet with Ms. Jin Meihua. He told them, furthermore, that they had unconstitutionally deprived a citizen of her right to seek professional legal assistance. The police department officials did not respond to the lawyer's letter; instead, they issued an arrest warrant on July 6, 2007.

Because we could not meet with my wife, I worried about her safety a great deal. I worried the police may have tortured her. Around September 20 I went to see police officer Wu Jun, who was in charge of the case, asking him to provide reasons for my wife's arrest and why they refused to let me meet with her. I told the police I was planning to go to Beijing to appeal.

When the police learned I might appeal, after a four-month delay, they quickly transferred the case to the Procuratorate. Persons at the Procuratorate notified me that I could meet with my wife, but they did not send the notice to my lawyer. I contacted the lawyer, who quickly called the Procuratorate. We finally met with Jin Meihua. On November 12, 2007, during the trial, Mr. Mo defended my wife fairly and in detail. He pointed out there is no law in China that Falun Gong is illegal, that my wife has the right to own any Falun Gong materials under law. The trial judge and the police did not know how to respond to our lawyer. They adjourned the trial quickly and told us to wait for their decision. On November 15, 2007, Xiacheng District Court announced the five-year prison sentence for my wife, Ms. Jin Meihua.

I know what is good and what is bad. How come, although my wife did not do anything wrong, she is being sentenced again and again? How come they ignored our lawyer's defense?

I sincerely hope all the lawyers in the country and overseas can help me. I will appeal for my wife.