Religious freedom advocacy Christian Solidarity Worldwide has called upon the Chinese Government to release a Christian pastor arrested early last year on charges of “divulging state secrets” after his lawyer said has in urgent need of medical care.
Pastor Yang Hua, of the Living Stone Church, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison followibf a trial in December last year, almost a year after his arrest. His lawyer, who visited Pastor Yang Hua earlier this month, reportedly said he was “on the verge of paralysis” thanks to severe inflammation in his legs. CSW said requests for his condition to be treated have not been heeded and there are fears that if his condition is not treated, his legs may have to be amputated.
Mervyn Thomas, chief executive of UK-based CSW, said the “consistent denial of medical care to Pastor Yang Hua of Living Stone Church is inhumane and inconsistent with international standards on the rights of detainees”.
“Pastor Yang has repeatedly requested medical treatment, and his lawyers believe his situation to be critical,” he said. “We call on the Chinese government to release Yang Hua, to allow him immediate access to adequate medical care, and to investigate allegations of torture and ill-treatment in detention. We further call on the Chinese authorities to cease all harassment and restrictions on other church members, and to uphold the right to freedom of religion or belief for all.”
