Letter from Jared Genser to Secretary PowellJared Genser December 14, 2004
The Honorable Colin L. Powell Dear Secretary Powell: I am writing on behalf of Freedom Now to request that the U.S. Government immediately urge the Government of the People's Republic of China to release Dr. Yang Jianli on medical parole. As you know, Dr. Yang, a former Tiananmen Square activist, has been detained in China since April 26, 2002, and has been serving a five-year prison sentence for espionage and illegal entry. I have been representing Dr. Yang's family here in the United States since then. We just learned today that Dr. Yang's brother, sister, and nephew were finally able to meet with him in Beijing No. 2 Prison. During the course of the visit, the first of its kind that has been allowed since his initial detention, the family learned that not only had Dr. Yang suffered a minor stroke on July 31, 2004, but that he continues to suffer from numbness on the left side of his body. Dr. Yang's family - including his wife Christina and two young children Aaron and Anita - all U.S. citizens - are deeply concerned about his health and welfare. According to Dr. Yang, while he was hospitalized immediately after the stroke, he has not received any substantial medical attention since that time. We believe Dr. Yang needs to be fully evaluated by a neurologist and other medical personnel qualified to assist him with his current condition. In this context, we are very much hoping that the U.S. Government will urge the People's Republic of China to release Dr. Yang on medical parole - in accordance with their own law - and enable him to return to his family in the United States. Now only would this result be the best outcome for his health and his family, but it would also remove on ongoing and unnecessary irritant in U.S.-China relations. Thank you so much for your serious consideration and for all the ongoing support of your staff at the Embassy in Beijing, in East Asian and Pacific Affairs, and in DRL. The support means the world to Christina, Yang Jianli's family, and me. Sincerely,
Jared Genser -------------------------- |