A/HRC/13/40/Add.1 report. However, a copy of the original response letter is available online at the following address: www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/religion/docs/response210809china.pdf. (c) Observations by the Special Rapporteur 45. The Special Rapporteur is grateful that the Government of China replied to the joint urgent appeal of 23 June 2009 and hopes to be able to make observations on the response in the next report. 5. (a) Urgent appeal sent on 14 July 2009 jointly with the Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Working Group on arbitrary detention, the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, and the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment Allegations transmitted to the Government 46. The Special Procedures mandate holders brought to the attention of the Government information they had received regarding Mr. Zhou Xiangyang. He was sentenced to 9 years in prison in May 2003, because he allegedly refused to give up his belief in Falun Gong. Reportedly, he was brutally tortured and was locked in a solitary cell for four months in the winter. At Gangbei Prison, Mr. Zhou was verbally and physically abused, and was detained in isolation numerous times. In February 2009, the guard captain at Gangbei Prison informed that Mr. Zhou was being force-fed five times per day and that he could die at any moment. When his family visited him two months later, four prisoners had to carry Mr. Zhou out of his cell as he was too weak and thin to walk by himself. During the visit, the other prisoners monitored his conversation and would kick him as a warning to change the subject, when they had the impression that he was disclosing information about the treatment he had experienced in prison. 47. In April and mid-May 2009, Mr. Zhou was taken to the Police Hospital for emergency treatment, including intravenous injections. Mr. Zhou’s family requested his release on bail for medical treatment, but this was refused by the Gangbei Prison. The prison authorities allegedly indicated that he had to renounce his belief before he could be released for medical treatment. Based on Mr. Zhou’s deteriorating health, concern was expressed for his physical and mental integrity. (b) Response from the Government dated 4 September 2009 48. On 4 September 2009, the Government of China replied to the joint urgent appeal of 14 July 2009. Since the Special Rapporteur had not received the response’s translation from the relevant services at the time this report was finalized, she is unfortunately not in a position to summarize in English the content of the Government’s response in the present report. However, a copy of the original response letter is available online at the following address: www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/religion/docs/response040909china.pdf. (c) Observations by the Special Rapporteur 49. The Special Rapporteur is grateful that the Government of China replied to the joint urgent appeal of 14 July 2009 and hopes to be able to make observations on the response in the next report. 16