Zhu Chunlin, a Christian from Shenzhen, was sentenced for “illegal fundraising.”
His crime was asking for donations for a Christian project In China. He now spoke out about his experiences of torture in prison, highlighting the routine use of such practices in Chinese facilities. His detailed account was shared with several human rights organizations and published in Chinese by “Weiquanwang” on September 11.
Zhu recounts his time in the 15th Ward of Qingyuan Prison, where he was initially placed in the first sub-ward after being transferred from the Bao’an District Detention Center in May 2017. Following a month of prison training, he was moved to the First Sub-District for what was described as “education and labor reform.”
During his imprisonment, Zhu faced strict control and punishment, commonly referred to as “target shooting,” administered by certain inmate leaders and prison guards. Each afternoon, targeted inmates were identified and subjected to various forms of punishment. For instance, during meal times, those targeted had to wait at the back of the line and often received inadequate food. During breaks, they were not allowed to rest but were made to stand in line. After evening assemblies, they faced additional standing periods in designated areas, sometimes outdoors in harsh conditions.
Zhu explains that these punishments were systematically applied without interruption, labeled as “strengthened learning.” When he protested these illegal practices, two officers responded by placing heavy shackles on him. The leg irons, weighing around 15 kilograms in total, severely limited his mobility, forcing him to drag his feet painfully. Navigating the prison became a struggle, especially on stairs, where he risked serious injury.
At night, Zhu was subjected to continued restraint, with cold shackles making movement difficult. He had witnessed others endure similar tortures, but experiencing it himself was a shock. Despite the ongoing abuse, he maintained hope through silent prayer.
Describing this period as the darkest of his life, Zhu ultimately felt compelled to submit to the authorities’ demands, especially with the Spring Festival approaching. He was forced to write a self-criticism, which he publicly read during dinner, admitting to wrongdoing for resisting their punishment and pledging future compliance.
