Zhang Hanwen, female, a retired doctor from Zhengzhou University, Henan Province

In late 2000, Ms. Zhang Hanwen went to Beijing to appeal for Falun Gong. As a result, she was arrested and escorted back to Henan Province. She was then sent to the Shibalihe Women’s Labor Camp for two years and three months. During her detention, because she refused to give up Falun Gong, she was beaten until her leg fractured; two of her teeth were knocked out while she was being force-fed during a hunger strike. The rest of her teeth became loose. Because she would not give up her belief, her term was extended by three months. She was released on March 28, 2003.

On March 28, 2003, while Ms. Zhang’s family was waiting outside of the labor camp to pick her up, the Zhengzhou University authorities forced Ms. Zhang into their car and took her to a brainwashing class near Xiliu Lake in rural Zhengzhou City.

Ms. Zhang and her husband have been persecuted and both were sent to labor camps because they practice Falun Gong. They haven’t seen each other for two-and-half years. Their daughter has been forced to abandon her home for more than two years because of the persecution.