Case history: Gao Yu
On 26 November 2015, Gao Yu was released on medical parole following a continued deterioration in her health while imprisoned. She has been denied permission to travel abroad for medical treatment. On 17 April 2015 Gao Yu was sentenced to seven years in jail for “leaking state secrets abroad”. On appeal, this sentence was reduced to five years.
Gao Yu is an outspoken journalist and prominent advocate of press freedom who, prior to her sentencing in 2015, previously spent time in prison for her support of the Tiananmen protests in 1989 and for articles she wrote in Hong Kong publications in 1993.
Imprisoned journalist and human rights defender Ms Gao Yu continues to suffering from deteriorating health and extended periods of questioning.
Further to the Front Line Defenders' Urgent Appeal issued on 7 July 2015 regarding the health of Gao Yu, medical checks carried out on the human rights defender since that time have revealed the growth of a number of abnormal lymph nodes on her neck. Further laboratory tests are needed to determine whether the growths are malignant or benign. Doctors have also told her that she has clogged arteries and is at risk of a heart attack.
Gao Yu is a 71-year-old outspoken journalist and prominent advocate of press freedom. She was detained on 24 April 2014 and later charged with 'leaking state secrets abroad'. It is believed this charge relates to the posting of a Chinese Communist Party circular, referred to as Document No. 9, on websites outside of China. The document contains instructions to party cadres to prevent the spread of certain 'political risks' within China, including 'Western constitutional democracy', 'universal values', 'civil society' and 'the West's idea of journalism'. The person to whom Gao Yu was accused of leaking the document, which had already become widely available online, has denied that it was Gao Yu who leaked it to him.
As reported in the Urgent Appeal, Gao Yu also suffers from a variety of other ailments, including heart problems, high blood pressure, skin allergies and spells of dizziness. Notwithstanding this, she continues to be questioned for lengthy periods each day, with authorities reportedly promising her that she would be released if she admitted her 'guilt'. She refuses to do so. Furthermore, Gao Yu has been subjected to pressure to fire her lawyers, fellow human rights defenders Messrs Shang Baojun and Mo Shaoping. Shang Baojun and Mo Shaoping have stated that they intend to apply for bail for Gao Yu on medical grounds, though previous bail applications on similar grounds were rejected.
Front Line Defenders reiterates its grave concern at the deteriorating health of Gao Yu and calls for her release on bail on medical grounds. Front Line Defenders further reiterates its belief that Gao Yu's detention and the charges brought against her are solely a result of her peaceful and legitimate activities in the defence of human right.
The health of human rights defender and journalist Ms Gao Yu has continued to deteriorate in prison and she is reportedly suffering from heart problems, high blood pressure, skin allergies and spells of dizziness. On 17 April 2015 Gao Yu was sentenced to seven years in jail for “leaking state secrets abroad”.
Following a visit to the human rights defender on 3 July, Gao Yu's lawyer, Mr Shang Baojun, reported that Gao Yu was suffering from serious and frequent heart pains. According to her brother, Mr Gao Wei, Gao Yu has a history of heart disease and high blood pressure, and he is concerned that her health is now at a critical stage. Shang Baojun also confirmed that the outcome of Gao Yu's appeal, due to be announced this week, has been delayed, probably for two months. He further said that numbness, swelling and loss of muscle control in Gao Yu's left hand had gone untreated, other than with painkillers.
Gao Yu was detained on 24 April 2014 and later charged with 'leaking state secrets abroad'. It is believed this charge relates to the posting of a Chinese Communist Party circular, referred to as Document No. 9, on websites outside of China. The document contains instructions to party cadres to prevent the spread of certain 'political risks' within China, including 'Western constitutional democracy', 'universal values', 'civil society' and 'the West's idea of journalism'. The person to whom Gao Yu was accused of leaking the document, which had already become widely available online, has denied that it was Gao Yu who leaked it to him.
Front Line Defenders expresses its grave concern at the deteriorating health of Gao Yu and believes that her jailing is solely a result of her peaceful and legitimate activities in the defence of human rights.
