We’ve suffered 27 years of state terror, Chinese mothers of Tiananmen victims say ahead of anniversary
Families have endured constant harassment and intimidation by security services for pursuing justice for loved ones, letter says
Mothers of some of those killed in China’s crackdown on the 1989 pro-democracy movement say they have lived through 27 years of state-led “terror and suffocation” and vow to continue pushing for the truth ahead of this weekend’s anniversary of the events.
An open letter signed by 131 members of the Tiananmen Mothers and published by the overseas advocacy group Human Rights in China said victims’ families had endured constant harassment and intimidation by security services for pursuing justice for their loved ones.
For 27 years, the police have been the ones who have dealt with us
“For us, family members of the victims’ families, it has been 27 years of [state] terror and suffocation,” the letter said. “For 27 years, the police have been the ones who have dealt with us,” it said, listing a string of measures including electronic snooping and surveillance of family members, fabricated accusations and intimidation. “All these actions undoubtedly desecrate the souls of those who perished in [the crackdown] and insult the honour of the living,” the letter said.
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Yet, the women said they were convinced their campaign would eventually produce a full and objective reckoning of the events.
The letter condemns the government for apathy, accusing Beijing of ignoring pleas by family members and wiping out public memory of the movement and the bloody crackdown on the night of June 3-4, 1989.
The government insists it was necessary to send in troops and tanks to quell what it has labelled a violent uprising.
The letter was partially prompted by tightening security following the death of Jiang Peikun, husband of Ding Zilin, one of the most prominent Tiananmen mothers, said Yin Min, a fellow member.