Shanghai Jing’an District petitioner Chen Meihua, who was abused in Chongming District’s black prison last year, reported to Chengqiao Police Station in Chongming District on May 21 this year and then went missing. Despite repeated reports by her family, the police have not responded. The family is worried that Chen Meihua might become the next victim like Guishanhong.
Recently, Shanghai petitioner Guishanhong died after being intercepted and sent to a black prison in Beijing, just three days before the incident with Meihua. This event has caused a great shock in the Shanghai petitioner community. With the widespread existence of black prisons in Shanghai, petitioners are concerned that these facilities may be used as a new tool for murder under the government’s stability maintenance system.
Chen Meihua’s brother Chen Jindi told Epoch Times, “Before her disappearance, Chen Meihua had repeatedly petitioned on behalf of her abuse in the black prison last year, hoping to bring the perpetrators to justice. With such substantial evidence, why is the police not taking action? Is this still a society under the rule of law?”
On May 21, Chen Meihua went to Chongming District Government to report the situation regarding her previous detention in the black prison but went missing after being taken to Chengqiao Police Station that evening. A policeman from Shi’er Police Station and two staff members from Shi’er Sub-district were present that night. Her brother and daughter called 110 and went to Shi’er Police Station in their jurisdiction to report the case but received no response.
Chen Jindi said, “When family members reported the case, the Chengqiao Police Station and Shi’er Police Station personnel blamed each other, and the sub-district denied any involvement. How could Chen Meihua disappear after being taken by the police station? Later, Shi’er Police Station finally issued a missing persons receipt, claiming they would investigate the surveillance footage, but they have not responded to date.”
“My sister (Chen Meihua) has been missing for ten days now, and there has been no sign of her. Thinking of the experience of Ms. Guinü in Huangpu District, I am even more worried about my sister’s safety,” he added.
On August 29, 2024, Chen Meihua was kidnapped at Century Garden on Hutai Road in Shanghai, then illegally detained at No. 573 Yingchang Nongjiayule in Qianwei Village, Chongming. Her phone was confiscated, preventing her from contacting her family.
On the evening of September 6, 2024, she was dumped on the roadside of Cixi Road in Shanghai. Her family called 120 for emergency medical assistance and took her to Ruijin Hospital. Despite being on the brink of death due to the torture she endured, the police at Shi’er Police Station and even after calling 110 did not file a case or provide a receipt.
Chen Jindi said, “Chen Meihua was subjected to severe abuse by the black security guards in the black prison in Chongming last year. She had her hair pulled and smashed against the wall, had her mouth and limbs taped with packaging tape, was beaten with slippers and kicked, hit with a stool. Her bed was covered in blood, and she had to relieve herself in bed. She was deprived of food and water for four days, and on the fifth day, she was forcibly injected with an unknown liquid. She went without food or water for a total of eight days, and the perpetrators said that even if she died, Shi’er Sub-district would just pay a little money, and they would be safe. They also stole over 600 yuan from her. The methods were brutal and inhumane.”
Chen Meihua was kidnapped and subjected to torture in the black prison, nearly leading to kidney failure and necessitating dialysis. Her life was in danger, and she now has to take medication for the rest of her life. On September 12, 2024, she managed to go to Chongming District’s Changjiang Police Station from Ruijin Hospital to report the case, but the police did not respond. She also went to Shi’er Police Station and Pengpu Town Police Station, made supervision calls, but still received no response.
On September 19, 2024, she went to the district government to seek justice, and the sub-district promised to talk to her. However, in reality, they just lured her back without hosting the conversation.
Chen Meihua, 68, a resident of Jing’an District, Shanghai, petitioned for rights due to relocation disputes and was repeatedly detained and abused upon returning, enduring beatings and mistreatment.
Since 2022, Chen Meihua’s husband, mother, older sister, and older brother have passed away. She now relies on her younger brother Chen Jindi (unmarried) and daughter. Chen Jindi has cancer and was cared for by Chen Meihua. After her disappearance, he had trouble sleeping, and his health worsened.
Having suffered severe persecution in the black prison last year, nearly losing her life, the recent disappearance following the tragic death of Guishanhong in a black prison has heightened concerns not only for the family but also for all petitioners currently held in black prisons in Shanghai.