Zhao Lianhai

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Zhao Lianhai (赵连海) (born May 21, 1972 in Beijing ) is a Chinese dissident who used to work for a food quality and safety agency and who started a website about it after the baby milk scandal in China in 2008 . In 2010 he was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for “disturbing public order”. His own child, Pengrui (* circa 2005), fell ill as a result of the melamine-contaminated milk.

Activism and website

Zhao became a leader in the parents' movement to seek compensation and treatment for their children who were harmed by the spoiled milk. He called for a national day of remembrance for the victims. He held a memorial service in his home for the parents whose children were victims of the scandal.

He started the Home for Kidney Stone Babies website (jieshibaobao.com) from his home in Daxing , near Beijing . The website was blocked in China.

Parents of children who were harmed by the melamine-contaminated milk were able to find out more on the website and exchange ideas about how they could complain. Zhao also pushed for more research into the number of babies with kidney stones . The website also published a document from the Henan Department of Health urging workers not to report the true number of kidney stones they had. The website also claimed that child autopsies had been refused. In 2009, Zhao published a petition in which he stated that the compensation payments planned by the government were too low, especially in view of the as yet unknown late damage, and that plans had not been made in consultation with the parents concerned. Hundreds of parents signed the petition.

The police and / or the Public Security Bureau harassed him, his wife, mother, siblings and volunteer students. The government also suspended meetings and a press conference.

Arrest, trial, imprisonment

He was arrested by the police in mid-November 2009. The arrest papers were handed over to his wife, Li Xuemei, on December 21st, 2009, on charges of "starting a quarrel and provoking trouble." His case was referred to the prosecutor in spring 2010. The case was brought to Beijing Daxing Court under Li Fangping and Peng Jian.

Zhao Lianhai was finally sentenced on November 10, 2010 to two and a half years in prison. Three incidents were used in the trial against him:

  • Organization of a meeting of twelve parents
  • Holding a poster in front of a factory and court
  • Giving interviews to the media in a public place

He went on a hunger strike to protest. Amnesty International condemned the sentence. Li Xuemei, his wife, announced his appointment .

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Zhao, Lianhai
ALTERNATIVE NAMES 赵连海
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Chinese dissident
DATE OF BIRTH May 21, 1972
PLACE OF BIRTH Beijing