taipei, taiwan —
In a shocking turn of events, a court in Suzhou, eastern China, delivered harsh sentences on Tuesday to renowned human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng and his wife, Xu Yan. The couple was swept up in a police dragnet back in April 2023, just as they attempted to meet influential European officials visiting China. Charged with nebulous crimes like “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” and “inciting subversion of state power,” their convictions reflect a chilling stance from the Chinese authorities against dissent.
Yu was sentenced to a grueling three years behind bars, while Xu, who has already endured more than 18 months of detention, could see her release as early as January. This sentencing comes despite relentless appeals from the European Union and the U.N. Human Rights Council advocating for their immediate release. Analysts believe the repercussions will reverberate through China’s community of rights advocates, warning it may deter future activists from engaging with foreign diplomats out of fear of being labeled as “colluding with foreign forces.”
Protests Behind Bars
In parallel protests of their own, fellow dissidents are bravely pushing back against oppressive conditions. Xu Zhiyong, sentenced to 14 years for “subversion of state power,” has initiated a hunger strike in protest of inhumane treatment, including constant surveillance and being denied essential contact with family. Since being subjected to relentless scrutiny, Xu has been forced to seek permission even for restroom breaks, severely impacting his mental and physical health, according to U.S.-based Chinese human rights lawyer Teng Biao.
Moreover, the plight of another rights lawyer, Xie Yang, looms large as he refuses to participate in court proceedings until he gains access to his case files, further highlighting the dire situation for legal advocates in China. U.S. Ambassador to China, Nicholas Burns, expressed alarm over Xu’s case on social media, urging for humane treatment of all prisoners. The continuous crackdown on dissidents, including the recent arrest of lawyer Lu Siwei for allegedly “illegally crossing the border,” paints a grim picture of the human rights environment in China, raising urgent calls for international awareness and action.
