I am writing to express grave concern for the life of citizen journalist Zhang Zhan (张展), who has been on partial hunger strike to protest her incarceration.
It is extremely alarming to learn that, due to her dire health condition, Zhang Zhan's family do not expect her to live through the winter and have been calling the authorities to release her on medical grounds.
According to a lawyer who spoke to her family, in July 2023 she was again admitted to the prison hospital; among other worrying long-term health impacts, such as gastrointestinal problems, the prison conditions and partial hunger strike have resulted in severe weight loss. When she was admitted to hospital in July 2023, she weighed just 37 kilograms – half of her weight prior to her deprivation of liberty.
There is an alarming pattern of deaths of imprisoned Chinese activists, either in detention or after being belatedly released on medical parole.
A prisoner of conscience imprisoned solely for peacefully exercising her right to freedom of expression when she reported about COVID-19, Zhang Zhan should be released immediately and unconditionally.