/ / CHINA: GRAVE CONCERNS FOR LIFE OF DETAINED JOURNALIST

CHINA: GRAVE CONCERNS FOR LIFE OF DETAINED JOURNALIST

UA: Fourth UA 90.24

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Since being sentenced in September 2025 to another four years in prison, journalist Zhang Zhan’s health has deteriorated to an alarming level. She suffers from serious gastric illness and has lost significant weight, becoming extremely weak. She has reportedly been on hunger strike against her arbitrary detention since January 2025. Her condition is life-threatening, and urgent intervention in her case is critical; yet, persistent refusal to provide her access to a lawyer of her choice has hampered efforts to document her situation and appeal her conviction. She must be released immediately and, pending her release, she must have access to adequate healthcare, provided in compliance with medical ethics.

Call on Vice Mayor Zhang to release Zhang Zhan immediately and unconditionally.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: December 31, 2026

Here is how you can take action:

Send a letter to Vice Mayor Zhang
Send an email to Chinese Ambassador to the United States, Xie Fang
Post on social media
Print and share the paper petition for this UA

Scroll down to Step 1 and Step 2 to access the full Urgent Action appeal, email to the Chinese authorities, and sample letter, and U.S.P.S. mailing address (if available).

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Step 1

READ THE FULL URGENT ACTION

Enter your email address and zip code to get the sample letter to send to government officials

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You can now write a letter in your own words or download the sample below as a guide.

Remember to send your letter by December 31, 2026.

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Sample Letter

Dear Vice Mayor Zhang,

I am writing to express urgent concern for journalist and human rights defender Zhang Zhan (张展), whose health is reportedly deteriorating in custody.

For months she has been reported extremely weak, suffering serious gastric illness and significant weight loss, and she has reportedly continued a hunger strike protesting her arbitrary detention. During her previous imprisonment, a prolonged hunger strike led to multiple hospitalizations, raising alarm about the cumulative impact on her health. Since her conviction in September 2025, her lawyers’ repeated requests to meet her have been refused, undermining her right to counsel and appeal, while her family and lawyer have faced harassment and intimidation. On May 14, 2026, six years since her first arrest and a four-year sentence after a sham trial, she remains deprived of liberty after being re-arrested less than four months after her release.

I urge you to:

Release Zhang Zhan immediately and unconditionally and ensure the convictions are quashed;
Pending her release, ensure that Zhang Zhan has adequate access to qualified health professionals providing health care in compliance with medical ethics, including the principles of confidentiality, autonomy, and informed consent;
Ensure she can have access to her lawyers and family, and that she is not subject to torture or other ill-treatment;
Stop harassing and threatening human rights defenders and those who support them, such as their families and lawyers.

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]

Sample Social Post

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Step 2

Send your message

Email your letter to the government officials listed below. You can also post about them on social media.

Send your letter to:

Vice Mayor Zhang Yahong, Shanghai Municipal People’s Government

No. 200 Renmin Avenue, Huangpu District
Shanghai, 200003
People’s Republic of China

and

CC: Ambassador Xie Feng

Send a copy of your letter to:

The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the U.S.

3505 International Place, NW,

Washington DC 20008

[email protected]

When writing your letter, don’t forget to be factual, brief, and show respect. See more letter writing tips and emails, or organize and host a letter writing party.

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