Soroptimist International is calling on the Government of China to withdraw the death sentence for a woman who killed her husband after suffering months of torture and to take immediate action against the disturbing level of domestic violence in the country.
Li Yan, due to be executed any day, is currently being held at the Anyue County Detention Centre in the Sichuan province, South-West China. Li Yan’s ex-husband Tan Yong repeatedly abused her in a number of sadistic ways, including stubbing cigarettes out on her face, locking her out in the freezing cold, and cutting off one of her fingers. Li Yan required hospital treatment for some of the inflicted injuries and contacted the police several times who failed her repeatedly, firstly with a lack of investigation, and secondly by refusing to offer her any means of protection.
In late 2010 Li Yan beat her husband to death with a gun. If the law was not going to protect her, then she would have to protect herself.
Li Yan was sentenced to death on the 24 August 2011 by the Ziyang City Intermediate People’s Court for International Homicide under article 232 of the Chinese Criminal Code. Her subsequent appeals were all dismissed, even though she could display her injuries, and had witnesses attesting to the abuse.
Here we have yet another case of a woman, suffering severe domestic violence, with no protection from the law. China is party to the UN Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); which makes China accountable to such atrocities. CEDAW outlines, that under the law, Chinese authorities must investigate all allegations of violence against women and carry out fair trials. Currently there are huge gaps between China has committed to do and current law practice. This case is not isolated, in China domestic violence exists at a horrifying level.
Enough is Enough – Urgent Action needed!
Soroptimist International calls upon the Chinese authorities to remove Li Yan’s death sentence and to start recognising domestic violence seriously. Soroptimist International will be writing an appeal letter to the Chinese authorities expressing our outrage and shock and urging them to take domestic violence cases more seriously.
We urge other individuals organisations to do the same. Please find further information on how to write your appeal letter on the Amnesty International UK webpage (text appeal from UK only but the Urgent Action Case sheet includes email, fax and post details) . Pass on or action yourself as soon as you can!
Li Yan is yet another victim of domestic abuse; and another victim of an unjust system.