Contact: Bob Fu, China Aid Association, Inc., 267-205-5210 info@ChinaAid.org; www.chinaaid.org, www.monitorchina.org

HUBEI, China, Feb. 4 /Christian Newswire/ -- China Aid has learned that the health condition of human rights activist Peng Ming has continued to decline in recent months. On December 24, 2007, defense Attorney Chen Shangzhu from the Mingsheng Law Office of Hubei, filed for medical parole for Peng Ming based on his degenerating health condition. Peng Ming continues to suffer from serious kidney, heart and other diseases while serving his sentence in Hanyang Prison.

Photo: Peng Ming

Peng Ming was sentenced to life in prison on December 15, 2005 on suspicion of organizing and heading a terrorist organization. Since his incarceration, advocacy efforts have been made on his behalf from China Aid Association and others to secure his medical release. The United Nations Working Group for Arbitrary Detention concluded that Peng Ming is an official refugee with asylum status within the US. The group also declared Peng Ming to be held against his will and detained arbitrarily. Members of the US Government have also appealed to Chinese officials to release Peng Ming, based on his medical history and health condition.

This will be the second time legal representatives have filed for Medical Parole for Peng Meng. The fact that Peng Ming has suffered for years behind bars without proper medical attention is a prime example of how the PRC is ready to neither embrace human rights nor become a respectable leader in the international community. We urge the Chinese Government to release Peng Ming and allow him to be reunited with his family in America, in time for the Chinese Lunar New Year.

To voice your concern, please contact:

Chinese Embassy in Washington DC

Address: 2201 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Washington D.C. 20007

Tel: (202) 338-6688, (202) 588-9760

Fax: (202) 588-9760

To view the English translation of the Application for Medical Parole, click here

To view a personal letter written from Peng Ming to CAA President, Bob Fu, click here

Issued by CAA February 4, 2008