Bhubaneswar – A human rights lawyer and activist, Yang Maodong has been barred in China from leaving the country to meet his ailing wife in the US. China also accused him of “endangering national security”. Maodong, who is also known as Guo Feixiong, told South China Morning Post that he will now begin an “indefinite hunger strike” and appealed for “urgent assistance”. The activist further said, “I will not leave the airport unless they come and remove me by force.” This was despite him holding a passport and valid visa. According to SCMP, soon after Guo sent the message he could no longer be contacted even by his family. He further stated that the customs officers had prevented him from making any calls when he was at the checkpoint. The activist has been jailed twice since 2006 over the publication of a book exposing corruption and also for taking part in a rally against censorship in Guangzhou. He has also called for constitutional reform, campaigned for greater democracy and rights protection for political prisoners, and against
torturing prisoners, SCMP reported.
Bagmi Barenya Nayak
Research intern at The Stambh Organization
02.02.2021
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