Chinese Journalist Zhang Zhan Jailed For Wuhan Coverage At Imminent Risk Of Death

Zhang Zhan On Hunger Strike: Zhang Zhan the Chinese freelance journalist who has been behind the bars since May 2020 due to her coverage of the Wuhan coronavirus situation reportedly, "may not survive" due to her prolonged hunger strike. The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (OMCT) has also reported to the Network of Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD).

(OMCT) is a partnership of the World Organisation Against Torture. A 37-year-old Zhang is a former lawyer. Her licence was also suspended. She has been sentenced to jail time for four years. She started a partial hunger strike after her detention and sentencing. She now faces imminent life risk.

On October 28, 2021, Zhan's mother was allowed to have a video call with her. After which she reported that her daughter currently weighs less than 40 kg. Further, she is unable to walk unassisted. Zhan is suffering from severe malnutrition, a gastric ulcer and swollen legs and feet. It was reported that she has been restrained and force-fed via a nasal tube in the prison.

It is said that her brother Zhang Ju wrote on Twitter that she "may not live for much longer".

Zhan's relatives also have been denied the rights to visit the journalist in the prison. They are only allowed to communicate with her by video calls. They have spoken to her on two occasions on October 28 and February 2021 by video call and by phone call on August 2021. Zhan’s mother reportedly requested the Chinese police permission to visit her daughter in prison to persuade her to abandon the hunger strike. She has not received a reply.

Amnesty International has also urged the government to "release her immediately so that she can end her hunger strike and receive the appropriate medical treatment she desperately needs". The journalist's family haven't spoken to the press directly.

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