June 8, 2012. Relatives of veteran labor activist Li Wangyang have been detained after publicly questioning the circumstances of his death in a Shaoyang hospital.
Human Rights in China reported that Li’s sister, Li Wangling, and her husband, Zhao Baozhu, were being held at a hotel and felt isolated and concerned for their safety. Zhao had earlier challenged the official suicide account, pointing to Li’s severe physical weakness, the presence of security personnel, and the way the body was found.
The couple had sought legal representation, while lawyer Tang Jingling was reportedly unreachable after being hired to represent them. The combination of a disputed death, restrictions on relatives, and uncertainty surrounding legal counsel increases the need for independent scrutiny.
Authorities should immediately restore the relatives’ freedom of movement, guarantee access to counsel of their choice, preserve all evidence, and permit an independent post-mortem investigation.
Source: The Guardian, June 8, 2012.