Australian journalist Cheng Lei says she has not seen a tree in three years

Cheng Lei, an Australian journalist who has been jailed in China for three years without trial, has released a rare message saying that she has not seen a tree in three years.

Cheng, a former business anchor for China's state broadcaster CGTN, was arrested in August 2020 on suspicion of illegally supplying state secrets overseas. She has been held incommunicado ever since, and her trial has been repeatedly delayed.

In her message, which was dictated to diplomats and released by her partner Nick Coyle, Cheng said that she is being held in a small cell with no natural light. She said that she is allowed to exercise for only one hour a day, and that she is not allowed to have any contact with the outside world.

"I miss the sun. In my cell, the sunlight shines through the window but I can stand in it for only 10 hours a year," Cheng said. "I haven't seen a tree in three years."

Cheng also said that she is being subjected to psychological pressure and that she is afraid of being tortured. She said that she has been forced to make a confession, but that she denies the charges against her.

"I am innocent," Cheng said. "I have never done anything to harm China."

Cheng's case has been widely condemned by human rights groups, who say that she is being held hostage for political reasons. The Australian government has also called for her release, but China has refused to grant her bail or a trial date.

Cheng's message is a reminder of the harsh conditions that many journalists face in China. China is one of the most repressive countries in the world for journalists, and many journalists have been imprisoned or even killed for their work.

Cheng's case is also a reminder of the importance of press freedom. A free press is essential for a healthy democracy, and it is important to stand up for journalists who are being persecuted for their work.

In addition to the physical and psychological abuse that she has suffered, Cheng has also been denied access to her family and lawyers. She has not been able to see her two young children since her arrest, and she has only been able to speak to her lawyers a few times.

Cheng's case is a clear example of China's disregard for the rule of law and its commitment to silencing dissent. She is being held without charge and without trial, and she is being denied basic human rights.

The international community must continue to pressure China to release Cheng Lei and to respect the rule of law. A free and independent press is essential for a healthy democracy, and Cheng Lei is a symbol of the fight for press freedom in China.