Thank You note from Jared Genser - Legal advisor for Yang Jianli's familyJared Genser Oct. 16, 2003 Dear Friends, We are delighted to let you know that today, a bipartisan group of 36 Members of Congress, led by Congressmen Barney Frank (D-MA) and Christopher Cox (R-CA), have sent a letter to President Bush urging him "in the strongest possible terms" to raise Dr. Yang Jianli's case to President Hu Jintao during their one- on-one meeting at the APEC Summit in Bangkok next week. Although Dr. Yang was put on trial on August 4, 2003, and despite PRC assurances that a verdict would be forthcoming in a month, almost two and half months later, Dr. Yang continues to languish in prison. Sadly, we have also learned recently of some horrendous treatment by the PRC authorities during Dr. Yang's first year of incarceration. In addition to being held incommunicado and in solitary confinement, we learned that he was denied access to all reading material and opportunity to exercise outside his cell. As if this was not bad enough, he was also interrogated over 100 times during his first year of incarceration - all of this despite Chinese protestations to the U.S. government and world community that Dr. Yang was being well treated. Collectively, this treatment clearly amounts to torture in violation of PRC obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. On behalf of Christina, Anita, and Aaron, thank you for all of your help and support. We will keep you apprised of any future developments. In the meantime, anything you can do to help ensure President Bush raises the case to President Hu will be greatly appreciated. With warm regards,
Jared Genser -------------------------- |