FOUR Griffith Univer-sity students will participate in a high profile
international human rights case to [help] an Australian citizen [who was once illegally] jailed in
China.
Zhang Cui Yinh, from Sydney, is said to have been detained and tortured in
China in 2000 because of her involvement with Falun Gong.
Under the guidance of Gold Coast lawyer Chris Nyst, students Jodie Warren,
Thomas Bray, Belinda Falla and Kathryn Young will help a team of lawyers,
including international human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson, prepare a
submission to the United Nations Human rights Commissioner on Ms Zhang’s
behalf.
Ms Warren and Ms Young said they were honoured to be involved in the case.
“This is a real case involving real people with an opportunity for real
impacts. Effectively, we could be saving lives,’ said Ms Young.
“Torture is not an acceptable act in any society, and although I expect this
will be a long and involved case, it’s an amazing opportunity. It’s worth
not being paid.”
Ms Warren said she had been drawn to international human rights to make a
difference.
“And to be part of such a high profile case with such incredible mentors.
Once you start working you forget that you are juggling uni and the case;
you forget it’s work,” said Ms Warren.
Mr Nyst said the aim was to help an Australian citizen and give local
students experience with human rights issues.
“The students will be researching and assisting in any ways they can,
gaining field experience and we’re not paying them a thing. It’s a win-win
situation,” he said.
“The case involves what we assert is a human rights issue violation arising
out of the detention and torture over a lengthy period of time of an
Australian citizen, resident and prominent international artist who also
happens to be a practitioner of Falun Gong.
Posting date: 22/Sep/2003
Original article date: 20/Sep/2003
Category: Media Report
