April 2024 Newsletter | Gao Zhisheng remains missing | Yu Wensheng and Xu Yan detained for a year | Zhang Zhan to be released shortly | Political prisoners in Hong Kong rise to 1,841

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Chinese Human Rights Lawyer Gao Zhisheng, Forcibly Disappeared for Nearly 7 Years, Celebrates His 60th Birthday

Gao Zhisheng, a well-known human rights lawyer who disappeared under Chinese government detention in August 2017, celebrated his 60th birthday on 20 April 2024.

There has been no news of Gao Zhisheng following his enforced disappearance, leaving his conditions and whereabouts completely uncertain. His wife, Geng He, has made urgent appeals for Gao’s early return and for their reunion.

Yu Wensheng and Xu Yan detained for 1 year

15 April 2024 marks the first anniversary where human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng and his wife Xu Yan, a WHRD, have been detained on the charge of “inciting subversion of state power.” Last year, the couple was detained en route to the EU Delegation in Beijing upon being invited a visit by Delegation.

Their case has now completed supplementary investigation and is now set to be transferred to court for prosecution. Xu Yan was reportedly subjected to inhumane treatment, leading to concerns about her health, particularly as she previously went on a hunger strike to protest her rights being stripped away.

Their 18-year-old son, Yu Zhenyang, has been living alone for most of this time and has attempted suicide multiple times due to the distress caused by his parents' detention. His depression was exacerbated by witnessing his father's violent arrest by police in 2018. International organisations have called for the immediate and unconditional release of Yu Wensheng and Xu Yan, urging the Chinese government to ensure they are not subjected to further mistreatment and that their son's health rights are protected.

In an interview with the Voice of America (VOA), Patrick Poon, a board member of The 29 Principles and also a Visiting Researcher at the University of Tokyo, told VOA that to ensure the Chinese people can exercise their right to free speech and express their opinions on human rights externally, the international community should intensify pressure on the Chinese authorities.

“Human rights lawyers like Wang Yu have tried to meet with diplomats in the past and have been warned, but it’s rare for people like Yu Wensheng and Xu Yan to be detained for over a year. This is a severe suppression for the whole family. We call on the Chinese government to release them immediately. Their [Chinese authorities] actions violate international standards on all counts. If international pressure is not exerted, this could set a precedent, and more people will be unable to express their opinions on human rights to foreign governments and officials,” said Patrick.

Citizen Journalist Zhang Zhan to Finish Sentence Next Week

Zhang Zhan, a Chinese citizen journalist who is also a former lawyer, was sentenced to four years for “picking quarrels and provoking troubles” as she reported the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in Wuhan in 2020, will complete her sentence on May 13. However, doubts remain whether she will be fully released, given China's practice of keeping journalists under surveillance even after their prison terms. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has called on the international community to pressure Beijing to ensure Zhang's unconditional freedom.

Wang Quanzhang’s Child Has Been Unable to Attend School for Over a Year

Chinese human rights lawyer Wang Quanzhang and his family have endured continuous harassment by the Chinese authorities, as their 11-year-old son, Quan Quan, has been unable to attend school for over a year.

On 8 May 2024, a Japanese media outlet shared a video interview on platform X (formerly Twitter) with Wang Quanzhang’s family. They revealed that due to pressure from the Chinese authorities, Wang Quanzhang’s son couldn't attend school and must study at home. Wang Quanzhang was previously imprisoned for four and a half years after being convicted for “inciting subversion of state power” as he was detained during the 709 Crackdown.

Quan Quan expressed that he prefers in-person classes for the interaction and ability to play with friends, yet he praised his father for helping individuals and asserted that his father has done nothing wrong.

Despite Wang Quanzhang’s s release, the authorities’ pressure on the family persists, even preventing Quan Quan from enrolling elsewhere. Wang Quanzhang shared that he hopes his son can have the freedom to choose where to live and study. Quan Quan also wishes for his family to live happily without restrictions.

Human Rights Lawyer Li Yuhan Forced Out by Police While Staying at Friend’s Home in Beijing for Medical Treatment

Chinese human rights lawyer and woman human rights defender (WHRD) Li Yuhan, who was recently released from prison after serving a 6-year and 6-month sentence, was expelled by Beijing police while staying at a friend’s place to receive medical treatment. Wang Yu, who is also a human rights lawyer and WHRD, had arranged Li Yuhan’s stay at a friend's residence due to the high cost of Beijing hotels and Li Yuhan’s lack of income after her release. Despite her poor health, the police forced her out, refusing to let her stay at the friend’s home.

Li Yuhan was released on 24 March 2024, after serving six and a half years in prison for “picking quarrels and provoking troubles”. Her health deteriorates significantly after staying in prison for prolonged time.

Chinese Human Rights Lawyer Chang Weiping, Sentenced to 3 Years and 6 Months, Spends His 40th Birthday in Prison

14 April 2024 marks the 40th birthday of Chinese human rights lawyer Chang Weiping, his fourth birthday spent in prison. On June 8, 2023, Chang Weiping was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months in prison on the charge of “inciting subversion of state power” and is currently serving his sentence in Shaanxi Province, with his sentence ending in July 2024.

Update on Human Rights Lawyer Xie Yang's Situation in Prison After Over Two Years of Detention

Chinese human rights lawyer Xie Yang has been detained for over two years since his arrest on 11 January 2022. He was taken by the Changsha police for supporting pregnant teacher Li Tiantian, who was forcibly confined to a psychiatric hospital for her online comments. Xie Yang is charged with “inciting subversion of state power” and “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” and was formally arrested by the Changsha Procuratorate in February 2022. Despite more than two years passing since his arrest, he has yet to stand trial. Reports indicate that he has been subjected to torture and remains in custody at Changsha No. 1 Detention Center.

In a recent update, Xie Yang’s wife, Chen Guiqiu, shared that Xie Yang remains mentally strong but is frustrated that his lawyer cannot copy case files, and the Supreme Court has repeatedly postponed the case.

Guangxi lawyer Qin Weijin being detained

Qin Weijin, a Chinese lawyer in Guangxi province, was arrested on 20 April 2024 by Liuzhou police.” Initially accused of “inciting ethnic hatred”, the charge was later amended to “picking quarrels and provoking trouble.” He is now detained at Liuzhou’s Second Detention Center.

Chow Hang-tung and Two Others ExCo Members from the Hong Kong Alliance Await Scheduling for Final Appeal Permission

Chow Hang-tung, the former Vice-Chairperson of the now disbanded Hong Kong Alliance, along with two other ExCo members Tang Ngok-kwan and Tsui Hon-kwong, were previously convicted for refusing to submit information under the Hong Kong National Security Law’s implementation rules. Their appeals against conviction and sentence were dismissed by the High Court in March 2024, and their application for a certificate to appeal to the Court of Final Appeal was denied in April 2024.

Despite their efforts, the High Court in Hong Kong upheld the convictions, ruling that “foreign agent” isn't a necessary element for the prosecution to prove and that challenging it would go against the legislative intent of the Hong Kong National Security Law. The court also ruled that withholding evidence under “public interest immunity” or officers refusing to answer questions did not lead to an unfair trial.

Tang Ngok-kwan and Tsui Hon-kwong were denied bail pending appeal and are currently serving their sentences. Chow remains in custody on a separate subversion case. The Hong Kong Department of Justice confirmed in April 2024 that they have directly applied to the Court of Final Appeal to appeal against the decision, with a hearing date yet to be set.

Jimmy Lai Chee-ying’s Appeal on Hiring Tim Owen Rejected; Court of Appeal: National Security Commission's Decisions Are Not Subject to Judicial Review

Jimmy Lai Chee-ying’s appeal seeking judicial review of the Hong Kong National Security Commission’s decision to prevent him from hiring British King's Counsel Tim Owen was dismissed by the Court of Appeal . The court upheld Article 14 of the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Beijing Government’s interpretation, which states that the National Security Commission’s work in Hong Kong is not subject to judicial review and that its decisions on national security matters are enforceable and cannot be challenged in court.

HKDC: Hong Kong Political Prisoners Rise to 1,841; An Average of 1.03 Added Daily

According to the Hong Kong Democracy Council (HKDC), a non-governmental organisation in the US, the number of political prisoners in Hong Kong has increased to 1,841 as of April 30, 2024, with an average of 1.03 new political prisoners added daily from January 2023 to April 2024. This figure is comparable to Belarus and Myanmar, and Hong Kong’s imprisoned population proportion is nearly higher than in other Asian countries. Most of these prisoners, including activists, journalists, lawyers, and opposition politicians, are under 25.

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