Respect for human rights in China at risk as lawyer reporting torture is sentenced to jail

Chinese Human Rights Lawyer Sentenced to Jail for “Subversion of State Power”

On 26th July 2022, Chinese human rights lawyer Chang Weiping was sentenced to three years and six months in prison at the Feng County Detention Centre in Shaanxi province, China. He was convicted of “subversion of state power” in a closed-door trial that his wife was prevented from attending. Following the judgment, the Head of Amnesty International’s China Team, Sarah Brooks, expressed her outrage and concern over the situation of Chang, who was convicted solely for speaking out against the torture he had faced during his detention.

Background

Chang Weiping is a human rights lawyer from Baoji City, Shaanxi province, known for his work defending the rights of disadvantaged people. In January 2020, he was detained for ten days after an informal meeting with other human rights activists in Xiamen city the previous month. His law license was later revoked in the same year.

Ten months after his release, Chang posted a video on YouTube, describing the torture he had faced during detention, including being tied to a restraining device known as a “tiger chair” for 24 hours a day and interrogation for 16 times over the ten days. He was then put under Residential Surveillance at a Designated Location (RSDL), which is a measure that allows criminal investigators to hold an individual for up to six months outside the formal detention system. Chang’s family only received a notice that he had been charged with “subversion of state power” on 16 April 2021 after one year of incommunicado detention.

Outrage and Treatment of Chang

Sarah Brooks, the Head of Amnesty International’s China Team, described Chang’s sentencing as an “outrage” as he was convicted and punished solely for speaking out about his torture experience during detention. His trial was held in a closed-door session, and even his wife was prevented from attending. Furthermore, he has been denied regular access to his lawyer throughout his detention, putting his physical and mental well-being at risk.

Chang’s family has also reported facing harassment and intimidation from the authorities. They have been followed whenever they leave the house, and their phones have been confiscated. Visitors to their home have also been questioned by the police. Chang’s wife was even threatened that she might lose her job if she continued to speak out on Chang’s case. These actions, together with Chang’s conviction and sentencing, highlight the extent to which the Chinese authorities are willing to go to silence human rights advocates.

Call to Action

The case of Chang Weiping is a reflection of the dire state of human rights in China. His sentencing for merely sharing his experience of torture is evidence that the state will do anything to silence dissent. Amnesty International calls on the Chinese government to release Chang immediately and to stop all forms of human rights violations. The international community and human rights organizations must also continue to put pressure on the Chinese government to respect human rights, including freedom of expression and due process.

Conclusion

The sentencing of Chang Weiping is a reminder of the Chinese government’s continuous disregard for human rights. It is a call for the global community to mobilize and demand accountability for human rights violations in China. While progress has been made in the past few years, more still needs to be done. Governments and international organizations alike need to stand up for human rights and demand change.

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