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Freedom at last for Rebiya Kadeer

The Chinese authorities have released a high-profile prisoner of conscience, Uigher businesswoman Rebiya Kadeer. After six years in prison, Rebiya Kadeer, 58, was released on 17th of March and allowed to join her family in the USA. Rebiya Kadeer, a successful businesswoman, was arrested as she entered a hotel to talk aboutn human rights with the US congressional staff who were visiting China. She was charged was providing secret information to foriegners, and sentenced in March 2000 to eight years imprisonment. She says that she herself was not tortured while incarcerated, but fellow inmates wer torured nearby to frighten her. she lived on three rolls a day and boiled rice, a meal of rice and meat once a week. Thanks to her personal determination, and relentless Amnesty pressure, she is finally back home.

Death Row Prisoner goes free

After five years on death row in the notorious Angola prison in Louisiana, USA, Ryan Matthews was granted a retrial - and walked free in August 2004 when the prosecution dropped all charges against him. He was just 17 years old when he was convicted of murdering shopkeeper Tommy Vanhoose and sentenced to death. No physical evidence linked him to the crime and he consistently protested his innocence. In April last year, he was granted a retrial after presenting DNA evidence indicating that another man, Rondell Love, had commited the murder. Ryan's case has featured in AI's campaigns against the death penalty, for years.

Kurdish Activists released

On 9 June Turkey's appeal court ordered the release from prison of Leyla Zana and three other Kurdish activists pending an appeal. The ruling folloed a request by the country's chief prosecutor for their prison sentences to be overturned. As they emerged from prison they were greeted by a jubilant crowd of several hundred people dancing and throwing flowers at them. they were arrested, tried and in December 1994 sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for alleged membership of an illegal armed organisation, the Kurdish Workers Party. Thanks to Amnesty International and worldwide pressure they were finally released.