(Hunan – July 3, 2025) Authorities have arbitrarily detained human rights lawyer Xie Yang for three and a half years without trial. Xie Yang remains under strict supervision while handcuffed at Changsha No. 1 Detention Center, and his detention has now been extended for the twelfth time.
Arrest & New Charge
According to reports on July 1, 2025, Xie Yang is accused of “inciting subversion of state power.” With approval from China’s Supreme People’s Court, his detention has again been extended, for the twelfth time, with a detention period from May 28 to August 28, 2025.
Recent Lawyer Visit
On June 26, Xie Yang’s lawyer, Li Guobei, met with him. Xie Yang told his lawyer that detention center personnel appeared shocked upon learning of the visit. Two weeks earlier, he had been handcuffed and placed under strict control for a week, and the defense lawyer filed a complaint. Previously, due to violations of visitation rights, the lawyer had also lodged multiple complaints. During this recent visit, Xie Yang only had to undergo a routine inspection and did not undergo the strip searches that had occurred previously.
Signs of Physical & Emotional Decline
Chen Guiqiu, with knowledge of Xie’s case, released a photo from a year ago of Xie Yang in detention, showing a stark change in his appearance. “It shows how bad his condition is,” Ms. Chen said. “It’s hard to imagine the extent of mental and emotional devastation this detention has inflicted on him.”
Background & Human Rights Work
Xie Yang is a human rights lawyer from Hunan who once represented Xu Chunhe and his family. Xu was shot dead by Heilongjiang police in May 2015. Xie Yang has also represented participants in the New Citizens’ Movement, Christians, and victims of land seizures.
Arrest History
Xie Yang was initially arrested during the “709 Crackdown” in 2015 and accused of “inciting subversion” and “disrupting court order.” He was released on bail in August 2017. In January 2022, after publicly supporting teacher Li Tiantian, who was allegedly forcibly institutionalized for political reasons, Xie was arrested illegally again and once again charged with “inciting subversion.” He has now been detained for over three and a half years, during which he has endured inhumane treatments such as leg irons, handcuffs, verbal abuse, tight surveillance, and the deprivation of communication rights.
China Aid Association urges authorities in Hunan to drop all charges against him.
(ChinaAid Association)