[EpochTimesNovember92021](Epoch Times reporter Zhang Ting comprehensive report) The US State Department said on Monday (November 8) that it is deeply concerned about the health of Chinese citizen journalist Zhang Zhan detained by the CCP and urges The Beijing authorities released people unconditionally. In 2020, Zhang Zhan was arrested by the CCP and sentenced to four years in prison for reporting on the situation of the new crown virus (CCP virus) in Wuhan.
US State Department spokesperson Ned Price told reporters on Monday: “We have repeatedly expressed serious concerns about the nature of her arbitrary detention and the abuse she suffered during the period. We once again urge China (the CCP) to release immediately and unconditionally. she.”
On November 8, Zhang Zhan was nominated for the Press Freedom Award from the human rights group Reporters Without Borders in recognition of her courage.
Reporters Without Borders announced the nominees for the 2021 Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Award on Monday. Journalists and media from 11 countries were nominated for a total of 3 awards, including the Courage Award, the Independent Award and the Impact Award. Zhang Zhan and 3 other female journalists were nominated for the Courage Award.
Zhang Zhan graduated from Southwestern University of Finance and Economics with a master’s degree in finance. He was a former lawyer and a Christian. He has been following and participating in rights protection activities for a long time and dared to criticize the CCP authorities. In February 2020, Zhang Zhan went to Wuhan, where the COVID-19 outbreak occurred, to make a real report on the epidemic, and was subsequently arrested by the police.
The New York Times said that Zhang Zhan’s report challenged the Chinese Communist government’s claim that its response to the epidemic was excellent and caring for the people. Last year, she was convicted of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble,” a vague accusation often used against dissidents.
After being arrested, Zhang Zhan refused to plead guilty and went on a hunger strike to protest. The prison authorities then “forced feeding” her.
Zhang Zhan’s brother, Zhang Ju, said on Twitter on October 30, “My mother cried for a long time after seeing her the day before yesterday. Her face was withered and her eyes were full of sadness. Because Zhang Zhan looked ill and completely out of shape. She was in her heart. It seems that there is only God and her axioms, and the others are completely ignored.”
“Zhang Zhan is 177cm tall and currently weighs less than 40 kg. She is so stubborn. I think she may not live long. In the coming cold winter, if she does not persist in the past, I hope the world will remember her as she was. “
Zhang Zhan’s family urged the Chinese authorities to approve her on parole for medical treatment. Reporters Without Borders also issued an emergency statement on November 4, calling on the Beijing authorities to immediately release Zhang Zhan. The statement emphasized that if Zhang Zhan is not released immediately, she will face life threats.
On September 17, Reporters Without Borders and 45 NGOs including Amnesty International jointly sent a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping requesting the release of Zhang Zhan.
The “Human Rights Report 2020” released by the U.S. State Department this year mentioned the Chinese authorities’ retaliation against dissidents and suppressed the freedom of speech of dissidents such as the press and lawyers.
The report pointed out that four Chinese citizen journalists including Zhang Zhan, Chen Qiushi, Li Zehua and Fang Bin were forcibly disappeared and convicted for reporting the truth about the epidemic.
Editor in charge: Lin Yan#
.