(China) Chinese human rights defenders Dr. Xu Zhiyong and Ding Jiaxi were sentenced to 14 and 12 years respectively for “subversion of state power.” The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) finally announced its sentencing after the trial in June 2022.
Xu and Ding founded the “New Citiziens’ Movement” to encourage transparency within the People’s Republic of China (PRC). For example, they jointly advocated for government officials to disclose property documents, including Xi Jinping. Their activism also sought to use the PRC constitution to defend the rights of its citizens. Due to their previous activism, the two men already suffered four years and three and a half years in prison.
PRC authorities arrested Xu and Ding for attending an informal dinner in Xiamen in 2019. They reportedly discussed the future of democracy in China. Concerns stirred after both men disappeared. Later, ChinaAid and others confirmed that the authorities tortured Xu and Ding.
According to Radio Free Asia, Ding Jiaxi’s wife Luo Shengchun responded to the sentencing: “The jailing of Xu Zhiyong and Ding Jiaxi is tantamount to saying that the government’s constitution isn’t even worthy of being used as toilet paper.” Luo consistently advocates for her husband, working with different US agencies on her husband’s behalf.
Human rights and rule of law continue to deteriorate, especially for those who stand for freedom. ChinaAid calls for the unconditional and immediate release of Dr. Xu Zhiyong and Ding Jiaxi and all human rights defenders.
