On 26 December 2024, we solemnly mark the fifth anniversary of the oppressive crackdown on the “Xiamen gathering”—a clandestine assembly of roughly 20 Chinese human rights defenders and lawyers in 2019. This meeting aimed to highlight the troubling human rights context in China. In its aftermath, attendees faced interrogation, harassment, detention, and long-term travel restrictions, under the guise of national security measures.
Prominent figures such as legal scholar Xu Zhiyong and human rights lawyer Ding Jiaxi, both key advocates of the “New Citizens’ Movement,” were among those targeted. They fought for citizen empowerment, addressing issues like corruption and inequality. Back in 2014, Xu and Ding received harsh prison sentences for what authorities deemed “disturbing public order”, showcasing a chilling dismissal of civil discourse.
The crackdown led to their secret detention under Residential Surveillance at a Designated Location (RSDL), a procedure that denies detainees access to legal representation for up to six months, often amounting to enforced disappearances. During their time in RSDL, Xu and Ding faced severe ill-treatment and torture, ultimately leading to their convictions for “subversion of state power” in a covert trial that resulted in staggering prison terms of 14 years and 12 years respectively.
This episode underscores a disquieting trend of systematic repression against human rights defenders in China, where vague charges are frequently employed to silence dissent. These charges, including “subversion of state power” and “picking quarrels and provoking trouble”, have effectively criminalised human rights advocacy, with numerous cases reflecting the authorities’ tactical use of prolonged detention and torture to extract forced confessions.
Noteworthy cases such as those of lawyers Xie Yang and Lu Siwei, alongside activist Huang Xueqin and citizen journalist Zhang Zhan, exemplify the broader campaign against dissent. United Nations experts have noted the continual pattern of incommunicado detention and enforced disappearances targeting human rights advocates—an alarming signal of the systemic silencing of critical voices in China.
As we commemorate this significant anniversary, we unite globally, standing resolute with those who valiantly pursue justice amid daunting risks. Our collective voice calls upon the Chinese government to:
– Unconditionally release all imprisoned human rights defenders and lawyers, notably Xu Zhiyong and Ding Jiaxi.
– Halt the relentless crackdown on civil society, eliminating unlawful harassment and detention.
– Revise national security laws to align with international human rights norms.
– Lift travel bans on participants of the gathering and their families immediately.
On the fifth anniversary of the crackdown on the Xiamen gathering, human rights defenders like Xu Zhiyong and Ding Jiaxi face severe repression. Detained under harsh conditions without legal access, they exemplify the broader trend of oppression in China. The international community reiterates its demand for the unconditional release of these and other activists, as well as significant legislative reform to safeguard human rights.
The fifth anniversary of the Xiamen gathering serves as a poignant reminder of the persistent repression faced by human rights defenders in China. The systematic use of national security charges and enforced disappearances highlights the urgent need for reform. A unified global call demands the immediate release of those unjustly detained, and the restoration of fundamental rights is paramount for the future of civil society in China.
Original Source: www.fidh.org
