Chinese activist continues fight against water pollution

Since being freed, Wu Lihong has been telling a dark story that does not resemble this year's Expo slogan "better city, better life".

The police came for the environmental activist at night. They kicked in his door and confiscated his computer and documents. Wu had gathered evidence that factories were dumping unfiltered toxic waste into Taihu Lake.

Fish were dying, there were more algae than ever and cancer rates among the local population had risen. By drawing attention to the pollution levels in the water, the activist angered many factory owners.

Arrested before taking evidence to the capital

Wu was detained before being able to take his evidence to Beijing and accused of bribery. He says the charges against him were construed. "The local police chief told me during the investigation that a factory owner had asked him to 'take care' of me. A few times, they brought out different materials and made me put my fingerprints on them. They copied my handwriting and forged evidence. They also forced me to sign a confession."

Wu also says he was tortured. "They burned my fingers with lit cigarettes," he explains. "They tied my hands behind my back and hung me upside-down by my feet. Then they banged my head against the wall until I passed out."

After three years in police custody, the environmental activist was finally released. However, he says he is still not free; not only because his telephones are tapped. "We have surveillance cameras in our village. People in the village say I am number one of all six people being watched. The authorities planned it quite well. They harassed my neighbors and even my parents, saying they too would be arrested, should they help me in any way."

"I will fight for justice"

Wu Lihong refuses to be deterred. His goal is to have a clean lake and for this he is prepared to put everything on the line.

"I was at the lake a few days ago," he says. "It is still very dirty. There are still blue-green algae. The factories are dumping the stuff further out now, using boats but none of them have had to close. I am going to continue to fight and take this to court. I am not afraid of dying. People are only after money. Most people, but not me. I don't want to die with feelings of regret. I will fight for justice."

Although China has officially called for more environmental protection, activists are often at risk. Rights organizations have criticized the government for allowing people to be kept secretly, for sometimes weeks at a time, without formal charges being brought against them. However, officially, this doesn't happen. The government also denies all claims of torture.

Author: Petra Aldenrath / sb
Editor: Anne Thomas