Legal scholar Xu Zhiyong is on a hunger strike protesting overcrowded and cruel conditions in Lunan Prison, China, where he is subject to harassment and denied legal rights. His health continues to deteriorate amid systemic repression against activists, illustrating the urgent need for governmental accountability and the protection of human rights.
The Observatory reports alarming developments regarding Xu Zhiyong, a revered legal scholar and human rights advocate currently incarcerated at Lunan Prison in Shandong Province. Since starting a hunger strike on October 4, 2024, to protest the deplorable treatment he has received, his condition has sharply declined. Xu Zhiyong, a key figure in the New Citizens Movement advocating for human rights in China, has faced constant surveillance and harassment from fellow inmates as directed by prison officials. In recent months, prison authorities have impeded his communication with family members and legal counsel, sparking international concern over his deteriorating health. Notably, since April 2023, he has been barred from accessing his lawyer, further exacerbating fears for his well-being. The backdrop of Xu’s plight lies in a broader pattern of repression against human rights defenders in China. He and fellow activist Ding Jiaxi were sentenced to lengthy prison terms on dubious subversion charges which were cloaked in a shroud of secrecy and procedural irregularities. These included closed-door hearings and restrictions preventing family and diplomats from attending, raising serious violations of their right to a fair trial. The Observatory highlights that Xu’s initial detention was linked to his bold criticisms of the Chinese government amidst the COVID-19 outbreak and unrest in Hong Kong. The personal toll of this repression is illustrated vividly through descriptions of torment faced during periods of residential surveillance and inhumane conditions. In solidarity with Xu Zhiyong and others like him, the Observatory calls for immediate action: guaranteed medical care, cessation of intimidation tactics, and ultimately, their unconditional release. The request is not just a plea for individual lives, but a stand for the fundamental rights that are being systematically dismantled in the country. By mobilizing awareness and support, the global community can strive to hold Chinese authorities accountable for their grievances against human rights defenders.
China has seen increasing crackdowns on civil society and human rights activists, particularly those who challenge government authority or shed light on issues like civic rights and freedoms. Xu Zhiyong’s predicament accentuates the state’s attempts to suppress dissenting voices through arbitrary arrests and detentions. The New Citizens Movement, which promotes constitutional rights and social justice, has been a focal point of government backlash, and those associated with it have faced harsh repercussions. Xu Zhiyong himself garnered attention as a courageous advocate before being swept up in the extensive persecution of lawyers and activists, particularly following his open criticism of President Xi Jinping’s administration. This repression has led to a chilling narrative of intimidation, with many activists enduring severe mistreatment in custody while the state escalates its rhetoric around national security. The Observatory, established to aid those facing repression for their advocacy efforts, uses Xu’s case to highlight the urgent need for systemic change to protect human rights in China. Their ongoing efforts center not just on individual cases, but on the broader implications of such actions for civil liberties and the rule of law in China.
In summation, the case of Xu Zhiyong shines a spotlight on the dire conditions faced by human rights defenders in China. His ongoing hunger strike amidst worsening health conditions, accompanied by systematic isolation from legal and family support, illustrates the existential threats posed by arbitrary detention. Calls for his immediate release and the cessation of rights abuses resonate beyond his individual struggle, symbolizing a fight for the fundamental freedoms of conscience and expression. The commitment to hold authorities accountable remains a pivotal aspect of the broader movement fighting against state-sanctioned repression.
Original Source: www.fidh.org
