In a dramatic call for justice, Human Rights Watch has urged Chinese authorities to annul the unwarranted conviction of Taiwanese publisher Li Yanhe, also known as Fu Cha. Fu has been imprisoned since early 2023 and received a secret three-year sentence in February 2025 for “inciting secession.” Given the murky details surrounding his trial and the dire conditions of his detention, authorities are under increasing pressure to reveal the true nature of his charges.
At the heart of this contentious case is Fu, a brilliant 54-year-old editor-in-chief of Gūsa Publishing, a firm dedicated to releasing translations covering critical global issues, often at odds with the Chinese government’s narrative. After moving to Taiwan over a decade ago, he renounced his Chinese citizenship in 2023. However, his visit to Shanghai for this transition landed him in the crosshairs of the national security police, who accused him of disseminating contrary historical accounts.
Maya Wang, the associate China director at Human Rights Watch, eloquently articulated the grave concern surrounding Fu’s imprisonment, asserting, “The groundless case against Fu Cha is an apparent attempt to muffle freedom of expression…” This situation starkly violates Fu’s rights to freedom of expression and fair trial, with him being subjected to extended detention without communication in a secret locale, a distressing breach of international legal standards.
Adding to the opacity, the Chinese state stated Fu’s conviction was based on an “open trial,” yet details surrounding the case have barely trickled out. The lack of transparency has frustrated Taiwanese authorities, further complicating the attempts to secure Fu’s release, as the Chinese government staunchly refuses to acknowledge Taiwanese citizenship. The call for his freedom grows ever louder as the treatment Fu has received raises alarms over the suppression of democratic liberties.
Recent statistics indicate a worrisome uptick in the detention of Taiwanese citizens in China, underscoring a harsh crackdown on dissent and ensuring obedience through legal intimidation. With the publishing scene in Taiwan, once a bastion for free thought, increasingly threatened by the authoritarian grip of the Chinese government, Fu’s case has become a chilling reminder of the stakes involved in the battle for free expression.
Wang expresses concern over the broader implications of Fu’s plight, stating, “The Chinese government’s wrongful imprisonment…affects every writer who wishes to publish in Chinese.” As the global community watches, the call to defend the sanctity of free expression and to advocate fiercely for the release of Li Yanhe resonates louder than ever.
Human Rights Watch has called for the immediate release of Taiwanese publisher Li Yanhe, imprisoned in China since 2023. Fu, sentenced to three years for “inciting secession,” is accused of promoting views counter to the Chinese government. His case exemplifies broader issues of human rights violations and the suppression of free expression in China, as apprehension grows over the treatment of Taiwanese citizens amid increasing legal intimidation.
The continued detention of publisher Li Yanhe, known as Fu Cha, illustrates the troubling state of freedom of expression under the Chinese government. Human Rights Watch urges for his release, highlighting the misuse of legal frameworks to silence dissent and intimidate Taiwan’s vibrant publishing community. With an increasing trend of detaining Taiwanese citizens, the urgency to safeguard democratic principles and protect creative freedoms is paramount. Fu’s case serves as a rallying point for advocates of free speech worldwide, calling for collective action to uphold these rights.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
