Human Rights in China has learned that during the evening of July 1, 2008, police from the Chongwen District Branch Office of the Public Security Bureau (PSB) and the State Security Bureau in Beijing, accompanied by more than 30 additional people, forced open the door of Beijing-based house church activist Hua Huiqi (华惠棋), threatening him and beating his family members.

Hua identified one of the uniformed men as a public security officer from the Chongwen district branch office dealing with religious affairs.

According to Hua Huiqi, the officers came into the apartment yelling "we're going to kill you." They beat Hua's wife, Zhou Jumei (周菊梅), and his brother, Hua Huilin (华惠林), leaving Hua Huilin's face swollen and his left eye bleeding. Hua Huilin was later taken to the hospital for treatment.

Neighbor and rights activist Zhou Li (周莉) says she saw the officers beating members of the Hua family, and that Hua Huilin's face was covered in blood. Zhou tried to dial 110 to call the police but the officers present threatened to beat her too, kicking her and leaving bruises. Zhou says she pulled Hua Huilin over to the police in uniform for help, but he turned his head away.

The officers also kicked Hua's family out of the house, forcing his father, brother, and wife to sit in the courtyard in the rain while the officers stayed in their home until the early hours of July 2. Hua identified one of the uniformed men as a public security officer from the Chongwen district branch office dealing with religious affairs. Hua believes that the police are harassing him because of his religious activism.

On January 26, 2007, Hua Huiqi, a house church pastor, and his mother Shuang Shuying (双淑英) attempted to petition the National People's Congress over the forcible clearance of their home, but were detained that same day and harshly beaten by police officers of the PSB's Asian Games Village division. Hua was sentenced to six months in prison for "obstructing official business," and was released on July 25, 2007, upon completion of his sentence. Shuang was arrested while protesting Hua's detention and was sentenced to two years in prison and given a fine of 5,000 yuan (US$625) for "intentional damage of property." Family members have had limited access to imprisoned 78-year-old Shuang, who was denied medical parole in 2007 despite failing health.

For additional information on Hua Huiqi and Shuang Shuying, see:

• "HRIC condemns attack on Hua Huiqi in lead up to 17th Party Congress," October 12, 2007, http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/45221;

See also HRIC's Incorporating Responsibility 2008 Olympics Campaign focusing on Shuang Shuying in August 2008! http://www.ir2008.org/08/about.php