Excerpted from AFP (via YahooNews):

Hu Shigen, 53, was released on Tuesday but has been stripped of his political rights for five years, including the rights of free speech and assembly, Human Rights in China said. "We welcome the release of Hu Shigen, but it is tragic that Hu had to suffer so many years of abuse, serious health problems and harsh conditions," said Sharon Hom, director of the New York-based rights group.

Access to the full text of this article may require a subscription and password.
HRIC is not responsible for outdated web links to external sites.

For more information on this issue:

• “Take Action for Hu Shigen,” June 2008, http://www.ir2008.org/06/action.php;
• "About the Individual: Hu Shigen," Incorporating Responsibility 2008 Olympics Take Action Campaign, June 4, 2008, http://www.ir2008.org/06/about.php;
  
  
• "Prisoner Profile - Hu Shigen," China Rights Forum, 2004, No.4, http://www.hrichina.org/public/PDFs/CRF.4.2004/PrisonerProfile4.2004.pdf;
  
  
• Press Release: "Imprisoned Dissident Reported in Critical Health," November 2, 2004, http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/18448;
  
  
• “Take Action: Tiananmen 2008 and Beyond,” June 2008, http://hrichina.org/public/PDFs/CRF.2.2008/CRF-2008-2_Action.pdf;
• “Take Action: Individuals in Arbitrary Detention,” China Rights Forum, 2007, No.1 http://hrichina.org/public/PDFs/CRF.1.2007/CRF-2007-1_Action.pdf.