(Rizhou City, Shandong Province – February 19, 2024) Xu Zhiyong, a prominent human rights defender who was heavily sentenced by the Chinese government to 14 years in prison, has been transferred to Lunan Prison in Rizhao City, Shandong Province, to serve his sentence after a second trial. He has been in prison for nearly two months, but his family has not been allowed to meet with him.
In a case similar to that of Xu Zhiyong, Sophie Luo Shengchun, wife of human rights lawyer Ding Jiaxi, revealed Xu’s recent situation on social media platform X on the 23rd. Dr. Xu Zhiyong, who received a heavy sentence of 12 years, has been in Shandong’s Lunan Prison for nearly two months. Xu’s family has petitioned to visit him, but the prison authorities have consistently claimed to be awaiting approval from authorities in higher positions and thus they’ve not been allowed to visit. Xu Zhiyong’s family has not received any letters from him since he went to prison, presumably because sending letters has not been approved by the superiors.
Ms. Sophie Luo Shengchun stated that China’s Prison Law explicitly grants family members the right to visit and correspond, but all these rights are controlled by a certain “superior,” rendering the law merely symbolic.
“Pray that Zhiyong will be healthy and safe!” Sophie Luo Shengchun said.
Mr. Ding Jiaxi, the husband of Sophie Luo Shengchun, has not yet had a meeting with his family members.
Xu Zhiyong, aged 51, is a native of Minquan County, Henan Province, China. He holds a Ph.D. in law from Peking University and is a legal scholar and advocate for civil rights. He is the initiator of the “New Citizens’ Movement.”
The movement advocates for citizens to uphold their rights in a non-violent manner. Practice the implementation of their rights as citizens and take their civic duties seriously. To encourage all to practice citizens’ rights as stipulated in the Chinese constitution and laws, actively participate in community life, and contribute positively to society. The movement also encourages responsible citizens to participate in elections to be deputies of the local People’s Congresses (similar to the U.S. House of Representatives) and provide assistance to their neighbors.
Dr. Xu Zhiyong was detained on June 19, 2020, in Xiamen after organizing a gathering attended by activists from various regions. During the meeting, discussions focused on how Chinese citizens can exercise their constitutional rights and achieve these goals. He was arrested by the Chinese government on February 15, 2020, and held in custody at Linyi County Detention Center in Shandong Province. Prior to this, he had been imprisoned twice in July 2009 and July 2013 respectively. On April 10, 2023, Dr. Xu Zhiyong was sentenced to 14 years in prison by the Chinese authorities on charges of subverting state power, with 8 years of deprivation of political rights.
He appealed against his conviction, which was rejected in the second trial and thus upheld. Upon arriving at the courtroom, Xu Zhiyong exclaimed, “It’s almost dawn, the Communist Party doesn’t have a few days left.”
Several other lawyers and human rights activists who attended the Xiamen gathering were also detained, including Lawyer Chang Weiping from Shaanxi, who was sentenced to three years of imprisonment. Xu Zhiyong’s girlfriend, Li Qiaochu, was also implicated and is currently in prison, even though she did not attend the gathering. Xu Zhiyong will serve his sentence until February 2034 before he can be released.
“I’m proud to suffer for the sake of freedom, justice, and love.” Xu once wrote.
This case is a clear indication that under the strict rule of Xi Jinping, the right to freedom of speech for citizens has disappeared. The Xi Jinping regime has comprehensively suppressed all dissenting individuals deemed to be causing trouble, including human rights activists, enlightened businesspeople, public intellectuals, and elite opponents within the party.
