Bu Dongwei was detained in June 2006 without charge or trial, he was sentence to 2.5 years in a re-education through labour (RTL) camp for allegedly possesing Falun Gong materials. He was due for release at the end of this year, but was released in July 2008.

We have not been able to share this good news earlier as Bu Dongwei and his family were fearful that public attention would have resulted in him being targetted in the Chinese Government's pre-Olympic crackdowns. In May 2006 when Bu Dongwei was detained in his home by 7 police officers, his family were not told of his whereabouts for 3 months. He was accused of “resisting the implementation of national laws” and “disturbing social order", accusations related to his alleged possesion of Falun Gong materials.

Bu Dongwei, also known as David Bu, was released in July 2008 and he believes that international attention, including Amnesty International's campaign, protected him during his ordeal, and he has passed on his thanks to all Amnesty International activists who took action on his behalf and to protect human rights in China.

Officials in the re-education through labour facility where he was held showed Bu Dongwei letters that were addressed to him and that had arrived from abroad asking if he knew the people who had sent them. The officials did not let him keep the letters but this way he knew that there were concerned people aware of his plight and taking action to help.

Bu Dongwei's health deteriorated in detention, probably because of malnutrition. He was provided very little food of low nutritional value and was not allowed to buy additional meals himself. He had to attend re-educational classes every day and undertake packaging work. Prior to his detention, Bu Dongwei worked for the US based [Asia Foundation](.

This was Bu Dongwei's second RTL sentence. In 2000 he served 10 months also for his association with the Falun Gong. Whilst there it is reported that he was deprived of sleep, beaten and forced to sit in a small chair all day and told to renounce his beliefs.

Thank you to all of you who took action to ensure Bu Dongwei's release. Together, our work does make a difference and there are still many, many other prisoners of conscience detained in China and across the world who need our time and our voice.

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