Shuang (79) finally set free in China - but describes being tortured for her faith

A 79-year-old woman who was imprisoned in China for her Christian faith describes being tortured by her guards. Shuang Shuying says they forced her to drink her own urine and stand naked in a mosquito-infested prison yard.

Shuang Shuying, who has just been released, has written a letter describing her torture and thanking all who prayed for her during her two years behind bars. The letter was sent to a partner of Release International, which serves persecuted Christians worldwide.

'Release International has long been campaigning for the release of Shuang Shuying,' says CEO Andy Dipper. 'We're glad she is finally free, but are appalled at the abuse she was made to suffer.

'Many other Christians in China remain in prison. And, like Shuang, many describe being tortured for their faith. It saddens us deeply that this should happen to a 79-year-old mother in ill-health.'

It's widely believed Shuang Shuying was jailed to punish her son, Hua Huiqi, a human rights activist and a pastor in the Chinese underground church. In her letter Shuang says she was ‘taken hostage’ to try to force her son 'to compromise his faith and betray brothers and sisters [other Christians.]'

Shuang describes being stripped naked and forced to stand outside at night while mosquitoes attacked her body.  'Seven prisoners kept watching me in turn. I was not allowed to move even when the mosquitoes bit me or I would be slapped on my face and poked on the veins in my hands.'

There are still open wounds on her hands. 'The officers even forced me to drink my own urine.'

Shuang says she prayed 'without ceasing' asking God to give her strength. She was encouraged by visits from her son, Hua Huiqi, who has also been jailed for his faith.

'When he shared with me that brothers and sisters all over the world had been praying for me I felt greatly strengthened and empowered. It enabled me to live. I want to thank each one of you for your continuous prayers, care and support.'

Shuang's first act on being released was to visit her 91-year-old husband, Hua Zaichen, who is dying in hospital. Because of his condition he is no longer able to recognise his wife. The authorities have banned all visitors except close family members, and military police are guarding the hospital entrance. Police are monitoring the family home and follow Pastor Hua Huiqi and his wife wherever they go.

Shuang Shuying was jailed on what are considered to be trumped-up charges of damaging government property. She and her family have been harassed for years by the authorities because of their work in caring for the poor and defending their rights, and for allowing persecuted Christians to stay in their home.

The authorities keep a tight rein on all religion in China. Many Christians who want to worship in freedom meet in unregistered churches beyond the control of the state. It's widely believed there are now many more Christians in China than members of the Communist Party, and more unregistered Christians than those who remain in state-controlled churches.

This inability to prevent the spread of the Christian faith - despite decades of persecution - may finally be prompting a rethink by the authorities. According to a recent report in The Times, secret meetings have been held with leaders of the underground church. The paper described it as 'the first significant step towards reconciliation in decades,' where house church leaders could sit down 'as negotiators rather than foes'.

'It's time for China to stop regarding Christians as a threat and driving them underground,' says Andy Dipper of Release International. 'By banning their religion the authorities are branding good citizens as criminals. The Chinese Christians we speak to want nothing more than freedom of faith and to live in peace in their land.'

ENDS

NOTES TO THE EDITOR

Text of Shuang Shuying’s letter to Release International partner China Aid, on February 8:
I am Shuang Shuying, 79 years old. Two years ago, my son Hua Huiqi was put in jail by the Chinese police. In order to force my son to compromise his faith and betray brothers and sisters, I was sentenced to two years in prison as a hostage by the Public Security Bureau. During my imprisonment, the PSBs of Beijing went to my prison interrogating, threatening and harassing me numerous times. They even directed other prisoners to take off all of my clothes and forced me stand alone outside in the evening without letting me sleep. Seven prisoners kept watching me in turn. I was not allowed to move even when the mosquitoes bit me or I would be slapped on my face and poked on the veins on my hands. I still had wounds that were unhealed on my hands. The PSB officers even forced me to drink my own urine. They threatened me not to tell anyone about the tortures I experienced. During these terrible circumstances, I prayed without ceasing. I asked God to give me strength. Every time when my son came to visit me and shared with me that brothers and sisters from all over the world had been praying for me, I felt greatly strengthened and empowered which has enabled me to continue to live. When I was released from jail this morning (February 8), I went to visit my hospitalized old companion (husband) who is not even able to recognize me anymore because of losing consciousness. So I sincerely plead to brothers and sisters all over the world to continue to pray for me and my husband. At the same time, I want to thank each one of you for your continuous prayers, care and support for my husband, Hua Zaichen, and me.
A branch of the Body of Christ,
Shuang Shuying

A picture of Shuang Shuying is available on request.

Times article on government secret meetings with underground Christians:
www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article5587017.ece

For a country profile on China, please go to: http://www.releaseinternational.org/pages/country-profiles/china.php

For further information please contact Release International on 01689 823491 or by email at info@releaseinternational.org

For more information on Release International please go to: www.releaseinternational.org