The urgent call from Human Rights Watch urges the Chinese government to annul the conviction of Taiwanese publisher Li Yanhe, known as Fu Cha. Detained since 2023, he faced a secret sentencing in February, confined for three years for purportedly inciting secession, with scant details about his trial or prison conditions provided by the authorities.
Li Yanhe, also 54, is at the helm of Gūsa Publishing in Taiwan, a reputable firm known for translating vital texts on global matters—some critical of the Chinese state. Originally from China, he became a Taiwanese citizen in early 2023 after years of residing there. His detainment followed a visit to Shanghai to formalise his citizenship, resulting in his arrest on national security charges.
Maya Wang, a Human Rights Watch director, remarked on the case, asserting that Fu Cha’s imprisonment stems from his boldness to publish dissenting works about China. The lack of transparency surrounding the trial underscores an effort by China to suppress freedom of expression and to intimidate Taiwan’s flourishing publishing scene.
Fu Cha’s treatment signifies a breach of fundamental human rights—namely expression, information access, and fair trial rights. The Chinese authorities claimed he was tried publicly, yet details about his conviction were released only after media inquiries, raising suspicions about the legality of the proceedings.
Taiwanese officials have condemned the shrouded nature of Fu Cha’s trial, emphasizing their inability to intervene due to China’s refusal to acknowledge Taiwanese nationality. Human Rights Watch insists that Fu Cha deserves freedom and the right to depart from China immediately.
Recent data indicates a worrying uptick in the arrest of Taiwanese citizens by Chinese authorities. Notably, instances of detentions, like those of members from religious organizations, highlight an intensified clampdown, using national security as a sword.
As Taiwan emerges as a crucial stronghold for independent Chinese thought, Fu Cha’s arrest casts a long shadow over the publishing industry. The case echoes the past when Hong Kong’s robust literary landscape faced obliteration under harsh laws. It signals a deepening transnational repression by the Chinese government that can threaten the entire global Chinese publishing scene.
Wang stresses the global ramifications of Fu Cha’s wrongful imprisonment, calling on foreign governments to advocate for his release. In defending Fu Cha, they also protect the sanctuary that Taiwan offers for Chinese literature and expression worldwide.
Li Yanhe, known as Fu Cha, a Taiwanese publisher, faces a three-year prison term in China for allegedly inciting secession. Human Rights Watch has called for his immediate release, highlighting violations of his rights and the chilling impact of his case on Taiwan’s publishing industry. Fu Cha’s arrest reflects broader efforts by China to suppress dissent and intimidate Taiwanese citizens, posing implications for global Chinese literature.
The situation surrounding Fu Cha encapsulates the broader issues of human rights and freedom of expression in the face of territorial and political pressures exerted by the Chinese government. As Taiwanese authorities demonstrate their concern over the lack of transparency in his trial, the international community is implored to safeguard the independence of Taiwanese publishing and advocate for Fu Cha’s release. The repercussions of such repression extend beyond borders, threatening the foundation of Chinese language literature.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
