In a disheartening turn of events, the Suzhou Intermediate People’s Court denied human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng’s appeal against a three-year prison sentence for “inciting subversion of state power.” Amnesty International’s Kate Schuetze decried the charges as unfounded, reflecting the government’s anxieties about dissenting voices. Schuetze emphasized that both Yu and his activist wife, Xu Yan, should be released immediately as their imprisonment stems solely from exercising their right to freedom of expression.
Chinese lawyer Yu Wensheng’s appeal against a three-year prison sentence was denied, drawing condemnation from Amnesty International. His conviction for “inciting subversion of state power” alongside his wife, Xu Yan, demonstrates the government’s repression of dissenting voices. Both activists are imprisoned for exercising their rights, with calls for their immediate release.
Yu Wensheng and Xu Yan’s ongoing detention showcases a significant infringement on human rights in China, highlighting the regime’s deep-seated fear of free expression. The couple’s plight is emblematic of a broader crackdown on activists who dare to voice discontent. Their unconditional release is not only a demand for justice but a call to uphold fundamental human rights.
Yu Wensheng and Xu Yan, prominent activists, were apprehended in April 2023 while heading to a meeting with an EU delegation in Beijing. Initially charged with minor offenses, they faced more severe accusations in October 2023, resulting in their harsh sentencing. Yu’s previous conviction in 2020 for similar charges illustrates a troubling pattern of targeting individuals who challenge China’s narrative and advocate for human rights, underscoring the government’s overarching fear of dissent.
Original Source: www.amnesty.org
