AN Australian resident subjected to torture and persecution in China is to have her case championed in the United Nations Commission on Human Rights by eminent human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson.
Mr Robertson has been briefed about the case of Sydney resident Zhang Cui Ying by her Australian legal team, which is headed by lawyers Chris Nyst and his associate Jason Murakami, of the Gold Coast-based Nyst Lawyers.
A meeting on the Gold Coast last week between Ms Zhang’s legal team and the UK-based Mr Robertson, who is also President of the Special Court for Sierra Leone (War Crimes), resolved to pursue the case through a number of international channels.
Mr Robertson will present a petition being prepared by Nyst Lawyers to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland.
Further investigations are being conducted in relation to various breaches of the Vienna Convention 1963 by the Chinese government during Ms Zhang’s imprisonment.
Both actions relate to the Chinese government’s regime of persecution during the reign of former Chinese president Jiang Zemin, which subjected Ms Zhang to torture due to her being a practitioner of Falun Gong.
A range of civil actions against Jiang Zemin and his persecution of Falun Gong members are under way internationally, but Ms Zhang’s case is unique in that it is an international legal action launched by an individual against the former Chinese president.
Mr Nyst says that Mr Robertson’s involvement in the matter ‘strengthens Ms Zhang’s case and ensures it is likely to receive the serious attention it deserves from the UN as Mr Robertson is a highly respected advocate in the international legal community’.
“The Zhang case is a poignant example of the suffering of many Falun Gong practitioners at the hands of the Chinese government,” said Mr Nyst.
“Ms Zhang has been horribly mistreated.
“Ms Zhang’s case is very specific, strong and cogent and will bring a voice to all Falun Gong practitioners around the world.”
Ms Zhang visited China in 2000 and following her return was arbitrarily detained on four separate occasions.
The claim will allege that during her detention she was repeatedly physically assaulted, sleep deprived for periods of up to five days, and interrogated.
Ms Zhang was refused access to the Australian Consulate for prolonged periods, and was forced to sleep beside an open toilet and held in a cell with mentally deranged inmates.
by Promedia
