The U.S., Germany, and France have urged China to release human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng and his wife, Xu Yan, who were sentenced for subversion. Yu received three years and Xu one year and nine months at a Suzhou court. Activists argue that these sentences reflect a broader effort to suppress dissent and that the couple’s son is struggling with mental health issues due to their arrests.
The United States, Germany, and France have united in a strong call for China to release human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng and his wife, Xu Yan, who were sentenced for alleged subversion. A court in Suzhou recently handed down a three-year sentence to Yu and a year and nine months to Xu, citing incitement of state power. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasized these penalties signify an alarming trend of silencing human rights advocates, urging for their immediate release. Yu Wensheng has a history of defending fellow human rights lawyers, particularly during a crackdown on legal activists in 2015. He publicly criticized government practices in an open letter, calling for a probe into the Public Security Ministry, alleging widespread violations of law and human rights. Although released from a previous four-year sentence in 2022, his activism has continued to attract state reprisals.
The plight of Yu Wensheng and Xu Yan underscores a troubling narrative of repression within China’s legal system. Amidst heightened tensions surrounding human rights, the actions of the Chinese government are under increased scrutiny from global entities, including the United States and European nations. Yu’s previous contributions to legal advocacy have put him at odds with authorities, amplifying the vulnerability of those daring to confront systemic abuses. This scenario also sheds light on the emotional toll such detentions take on families, notably their son’s deteriorating mental health.
The joint plea from the U.S., Germany, and France highlights deep international concerns over China’s treatment of civil rights advocates. With the ongoing silence imposed by authorities on those advocating for justice, the urgent call for Yu and Xu’s release echoes the universal demand for human dignity and legal accountability. This incident not only fuels discussions on global human rights practices but also emphasizes the profound impact of such political actions on innocent families.
Original Source: www.wral.com
