Release International

A Chinese prisoner of faith is said to be seriously ill and officials are refusing to treat her until medical fees are paid by her husband, who cannot afford them.

House church Christian Zheng Yumei was sentenced in March to one year's 're-education through labour' at a camp in Zhengzhou, Henan province, for 'belonging to a cult'.

In detention, her health has deteriorated rapidly and she now needs urgent treatment, according to her son, Liu Sen. He says that her health is now 'very poor' and she suffers frequent dizziness and nose bleeds. However, officials at the women's centre where Zheng is being held are refusing to provide suitable care for her, insisting that her husband should pay for it.

But her husband, Liu Yunhua, was detained at the same time as Zheng, along with two other members of the Tianmiao Town Church in Yuchen County. They too were sentenced to one year's 're-education through labour'.

The other two detainees, Liu Yunhua and Gao Jianli, filed a suit against Shangqiu Municipality Committee in May on the basis that the four were arrested and detained without legal documentation. Release partner China Aid claims that the authorities acted contrary to the due process of Chinese law.

(Source: China Aid)

• Ask God to heal and restore Zheng Yumei. Thank Him that her life is in His hands and His everlasting arms sustain her (Deuteronomy 33:27).
• Thank God for the bravery of these house church Christians prepared to speak out against persecution. Pray that justice will be done in their case.

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