Amnesty International has renewed calls for the release of human rights advocates detained since a 2019 social gathering in Xiamen, China. During this meeting, various activists gathered to discuss societal issues, but shortly after, prominent figures like lawyer Ding Jiaxi and scholar Xu Zhiyong were forcibly disappeared by authorities. According to Amnesty, both men are viewed as prisoners of conscience, striving for justice in a repressive regime.
Sarah Brooks, Amnesty International’s China Director, condemned the harsh treatment of these activists, marking the crackdown as emblematic of the broader assault on civil society by the Chinese government. Other attendees were similarly targeted and subjected to incommunicado detention, significantly heightening their risk of torture.
On April 10, 2023, Ding and Xu were given disproportionate sentences—12 and 14 years respectively—for “subverting state power.” Their trials were held behind closed doors, and their continued imprisonment underlines a grim reality, provoking international concern and disapproval. After a period of severe mistreatment, Xu began a hunger strike in October 2024, which has garnered additional attention for their plight.
Despite recommendations from global entities for their release, the Chinese government has shown little response. Brooks highlighted that their sentencing sends a disheartening message about the state’s intolerance for dissenting voices. Meanwhile, family members of the detained continue to push for advocacy with unyielding commitment, exemplified by Ding’s wife, who staunchly believes attending a gathering is not a crime.
Activists within China and abroad have organized to provide moral support to Ding and Xu, sharing messages of solidarity despite harsh governmental censorship. The conditions faced by the activists in detention have been severe, including lack of basic rights and access to medical care. Reports indicate that Xu’s rights were further suppressed following his hunger strike, depicting a dire struggle.
Harassment and intimidation remain pervasive threats for human rights defenders in China, extending even to friends and family of those targeted. For instance, legal representatives for Xu were pressured into withdrawing due to state intimidation, illustrating the risks associated with advocacy work. Other activists connected to the Xiamen gathering faced similar repercussions, enduring prison sentences and travel bans, perpetuating a climate of fear.
The overall narrative speaks to a broader context of repression not just against individuals, but against the very notion of civil society in China. Amnesty International categorizes those imprisoned solely for their beliefs as prisoners of conscience, underscoring the urgent need for international pressure to effect change and secure the release of those wrongfully detained.
Amnesty International demands the release of detained human rights activists Ding Jiaxi and Xu Zhiyong, who faced severe penalties after a private discussion in 2019. Their imprisonment symbolizes a broader crackdown on civil society in China, with calls for international action amplifying. Both men endure harsh treatment in detention, while their families advocate tirelessly for justice amidst a climate of fear and repression.
The continued imprisonment of Ding Jiaxi and Xu Zhiyong, alongside other activists, serves as a stark reminder of the oppressive environment in China for those championing human rights. Despite repeated calls for their release from various international bodies, the Chinese government remains unyielding, enforcing harsh penalties as a warning to others who might engage in civil rights advocacy. As their families and supporters persist in their fight for justice, the need for global solidarity to challenge such injustices has never been more critical.
In December 2019, a clandestine dinner was held in Xiamen, China, where human rights activists gathered to deliberate on pressing social issues. Following this event, several attendees, including prominent figures Ding Jiaxi and Xu Zhiyong, were apprehended and forced into opaque detention. This incident has not only raised concerns about individual liberties in China but also reflects a systematic crackdown on civil society and dissenting voices under the current regime.
Original Source: amnesty.ca
