(Beijing – March 24, 2026) On the 20th, the families of 18 detained pastors and co-workers involved in the “10.9” Beijing Zion Church case (北京锡安教会) issued a joint statement. The statement noted that 165 days have passed since the incident, and the families are not only suffering from the pain of their loved ones’ detention, but are also deeply shocked and strongly protesting the recent systematic suppression faced by the legal defense team.
Since the case began, 18 church co-workers have been detained in the First and Second Detention Centers of Beihai City, Guangxi, on suspicion of “illegal use of information networks.” However, in the course of judicial proceedings, the team of lawyers providing legal assistance to the detainees has encountered an unprecedented crisis in their professional practice.
According to a family representative, every defense lawyer involved in the case is currently facing varying degrees of administrative interference. Methods of suppression include, but are not limited to:
- Frequent sudden investigations and targeted annual inspection spot checks;
- Intensive meetings and administrative warnings or disciplinary actions;
- Some lawyers are being forced to suspend practice, and even facing the extreme threat of having their licenses revoked.
The families solemnly pointed out in the statement that such collective persecution of lawyers is not only an infringement on their lawful right to practice, but also a blatant deprivation of citizens’ right to a fair trial.
“We strongly protest such despicable actions. Lawyers providing legal defense in accordance with the law is one of the most fundamental guarantees of every citizen’s rights. To strip lawyers of the right to practice is to deprive our loved ones of their last opportunity for a fair trial. This is not only a cruel retaliation against individual lawyers, but also an arbitrary challenge to the very bottom line of the rule of law.”
In light of the increasingly severe rule-of-law environment, the 18 families put forward the following specific demands to the relevant authorities:
- Cease all threats, summons for meetings, and unlawful interference against the legal team in this case immediately;
- Revoke penalties such as suspension of practice or revocation of licenses imposed on the lawyers;
- Guarantee that lawyers can perform their duties independently and normally, in this case.
The families call on all sectors of society, members of the legal community, and all citizens committed to justice to continue paying attention to the “10.9” Zion Church case. They emphasize that the realization of justice depends on the voice of every individual. The statement concludes by expressing hope for the dignity of the law and that both the detainees and the lawyers may regain their freedom within the framework of the rule of law.
Signatories (Families of the 18 detainees in the “10.9” Beijing Zion Church case):
Liu Chunli（刘春丽）
Su Ziming（苏子明）
Geng Pengpeng（耿朋朋）
Gu Xiaoyu（谷晓羽）
Yang Jun（杨俊）
Tao Tingting（陶婷婷）
Li Hongyang（李红阳）
Ren Zhong（任重）
Zhang Jie（张杰）
Tong Hong（童红）
Zhan Jing（战婧）
Reported by China Aid Association based on a briefing from Beijing Zion Church.
