(Minghui.org) Labor camps in China often hold illegally detained Falun Gong beyond their imposed terms, citing the excuse that the practitioners have refused to renounce their faith (so-called "transformation").

In fact, the Chinese communist regime bullies the weak and fears the strong. Practitioners' relatives are often successful in having their loved ones return home safely when they take a righteous stand and firmly demand the release of their persecuted family members.

Ms. Tan Meili, around 50, is a farmer's wife from Binjiang Village, Yongan Township, Jiujiang City Development Zone, Jiangxi Province. She suffered from childhood polio, which left one leg disabled. Over the course of the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) 14-year persecution of Falun Gong, she suffered repeated arrests and home raids, and was sentenced to three years of forced labor and a three-year prison term.

Ms. Tan was again arrested on August 17, 2012, outside the De'an County courthouse, by officer Wang Yijin of the Jiujiang County Domestic Security Division. She was sent to the Provincial Women's Forced Labor Camp for one year.

Ms. Tan's husband recently visited her. Chief Wang Junzheng of the Management Division told him that he had to pay to see his wife and that his wife's term was to be extended. Wang arrogantly threatened anyone who protested, telling them to sue him!

Ms. Tan's one-year forced labor term expired on August 17, 2013. However, the Provincial Drug Rehabilitation Center (where Ms. Tan had been transferred some time ago) did not release her.

On the morning of August 19, Ms. Tan's husband, older brother, nephew, sister-in-law, and mother-in-law went to the Provincial Drug Rehabilitation Center to request her release. Chief Wang Junzheng refused to release Ms. Tan, and informed the family that she refused to be “transformed.” For her refusal, the center had asked for a 26-day term extension, which was approved by Forced Labor Camp Bureau authorities. The Drug Rehabilitation Center thus would not release her.

Ms. Tan's family was determined. Her nephew argued that the Internet and newspapers have reported that forced labor camps were being torn down and abolished. He said that labor camps in Beijing, Liaoning, and other places have already released detained Falun Gong practitioners. Wang Junzheng unreasonably retorted, "I have not seen this news, so I do not know if that's true." However, he later admitted that he had indeed seen the related media report.

Ms. Tan's family went directly to the Provincial Forced Labor Bureau at Qingshan Road at 3:00 p.m. on August 19, and asked to see the person in charge. Director Bai Majing was not in, but a section chief met with the family. After listening to the family's statement and reviewing the relevant documents, he determined that Tan Meili's detention had indeed expired. He then immediately called the Drug Rehabilitation Center and asked them to arrange for Ms. Tan's release at 8:30 the next morning. Her family doubted that this would actually take place, and requested written proof. The chief replied, "I have consulted my superiors. Ms. Tan will definitely be released tomorrow."

Tan Meili's family went to the Drug Rehabilitation Center on the morning of August 20, to demand her release. Wang Junzheng delayed again and said in a threatening manner, "No one has arrived from the Jiujiang City Development Zone to pick her up. After they pick her up, we have no idea where they will take her." Ms. Tan's older brother rushed back to the Provincial Forced Labor Bureau. The chief who met them the day before immediately phoned the Drug Rehabilitation Center and questioned them as to why they were still holding Tan Meili.

On the evening of August 20, 2013, Tan Meili finally returned home—thanks to her family's righteous insistence and tireless efforts.