Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD)

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 Promoting human rights and empowering grassroots activism in China

China Human Rights Briefing

Human Rights Lawyer Zheng Enchong blocked by police from attending church, on hunger strike at its 10^th hour

(Shanghai, July 29, 2007) - In the early morning today, Shanghai human rights lawyer Zheng Enchong and his wife Jiang Meili were stopped by policemen at the gate of their housing compound on Jinyuan Road, Zhabei District, Shanghai.  They were on their way to church to attend an early morning Sunday service. When Mr. Zheng protested the police interference and kept going, a brief clash took place. A young policeman named Ni Wei aggressively pushed and grabbed Mr. Zheng. Two police vehicles are parked on the scene, one belonging to the Shanghai Municiple Public Security Bureau, the other to the Zhabai District division of the bureau.  About 8-10 policemen were present.

After they were physically blocked from leaving for church, Mr. Zheng started a hunger strike in front of his apartment building, with the policemen watching.  The hunger strike is now into its 10^th hour.  Mr. Zheng has only taken water.

Mr. Zheng is protesting today’s police violation of his religious freedom and also the harassment as well as deprivation of his freedom of movement in the past two months.  He fears that these interferences may become a routine.

“The police cannot stop him from his free thoughts!  They are shameless!”  said his wife Jiang Meili.

Today’s Sunday service at their church was moved to the early morning at 7:30 am due to the sweltering weather in Shanghai. The couple was trying to leave their apartment at 6:20 am.

On June 5 2007, the deprivation of Mr. Zheng’s political rights for one year ended, but Mr. Zheng continues to be subjected to harassment and house arrest from time to time. Last week, on July 24, when he tried to attend the trial of a Shanghai real estate tycoon who was involved in illegal dealings of properties and forced eviction of many Shanghai residents, Mr. Zheng was violently handled and detained briefly by the police.

Mr. Zheng and his wife can be contacted at 021-63805228.

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Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD) is a non-political, non-government network of grassroots and international activists promoting human rights protection and empowering grassroots activism in China.  CHRD’s objective is to build NGO capacities, monitor rights development, and assist victims of abuse.   CHRD advocates non-violent and rule of law approaches.  CHRD conducts investigation and research, provides information, organizes training, supports a program of small grants, and offers legal assistance.