Dublin University Writes Chinese Ambassador About Detained DU Student

Graduate Students' Union

Aontas na nIarcheimithe

University of Dublin

Trinity College

Dublin 2

22 November 2000

Her Excellency Ms. Zhang Xiaokang 40 Ailesbury Road Dublin 4

Dear Ms. Zhang,

As you are probably aware, the Graduate Students' Union at Trinity College has been very concerned about the welfare of our constituent Zhao Ming for most of this year. Mr. Zhao is a postgraduate student in Computer Science at Trinity College who has been involved in the local community.

It is our understanding that Mr. Zhao was placed under house arrest in January due to his involvement with the meditation practice Falun Gong. For several months, we heard nothing of Mr. Zhao's status, and our concern grew. We were alarmed to learn several weeks ago that Mr. Zhao has been sentenced without trial to two years in the Tuan He Farm Labour Camp in Daxing County, where he has reportedly been subject to severe beatings that have caused him grave physical harm. Because of this news, we consider this matter to be one of extreme urgency.

The Graduate Students' Union wrote letters earlier in the year to your predecessor and received no response. Again, we would like to request clarification on Mr. Zhao's legal status and his physical condition. We offer all possible assistance to expedite his return to Trinity College to resume his studies.

I thank you for any assistance you are willing to supply in this urgent matter. You may contact the Graduate Students' Union at the above address.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth A. Drew

Secretary

Graduate Students' Union

cc: Amnesty International, Ireland

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