Chinese human rights lawyer Xu Zhiyong’s health is rapidly declining following a month-long hunger strike to protest his harsh detention conditions. Held since February 2020, Xu faces severe restrictions on legal representation and communication. His sentencing in April 2023 to fourteen years reveals a troubling trend in China’s repression of dissent. Human rights groups globally are calling for his immediate release and for safeguarding the rights of all detained activists.
Human rights experts have recently raised alarms regarding the deteriorating health of Xu Zhiyong, a prominent Chinese attorney and an essential voice in the New Citizens’ Movement. Detained since February 2020, Xu embarked on a hunger strike almost a month ago, aiming to protest his inhumane treatment in Lunan Prison, located in Shandong Province. His protest began on October 4, 2024, as his body weakened under the strain of a month-long refusal to eat, echoing the resilience and desperation of those who dare to challenge oppressive regimes. Xu’s struggle illuminates the shameful reality of human rights abuses in China, where he has been subjected to extreme restrictions, including a complete denial of legal representation and limited communication with his family. Authorities have enforced relentless surveillance and psychological pressures, intensifying the agony of his imprisonment. His ongoing hunger strike symbolizes not only his defiance but also the perils faced by those advocating for justice and transparency in a repressive political climate. In April 2023, Xu was sentenced to fourteen years in prison, with his fellow activist Ding Jiaxi receiving twelve years, both charged with “subversion of state power.” Their trials exhibited an alarming lack of fair judicial process, marked by behind-closed-doors proceedings that excluded family members and diplomats, underscoring a systematic silencing of dissent. Human rights advocates across the globe have denounced these charges as blatant political maneuverings aimed at stifling voices of civil society. Several human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, have echoed their concerns regarding the increasingly hostile environment for activists in China. Maya Wang, Associate China Director at Human Rights Watch, remarked, “The fact that Xu is resorting to a hunger strike to protest his conditions is a clear testament to how harshly and badly he is being treated.” Leviathan-like, the plight of Xu captures the broader narrative of repression amid President Xi Jinping’s rule, where dissent is increasingly criminalized under expansive national security laws. Calls for Xu’s release resonate beyond China’s borders, with global human rights groups demanding an end to the oppressive use of “subversion” as a weapon against peaceful protestors. Organizations like Amnesty International have joined the clarion call for Xu and Ding’s immediate and unconditional liberation, urging Chinese authorities to safeguard their physical and mental health. As the shadows of despair loom over Xu’s situation, empathy transforms into a surge of international pressure demanding justice for human rights defenders imprisoned for their noble advocacy.
Xu Zhiyong, a pivotal figure in China’s New Citizens’ Movement, represents the struggle for government transparency and civil rights. His detention in February 2020 was widely perceived as part of a larger crackdown on dissent in China. This background sets the scene for understanding the recent developments surrounding Xu’s health and the deteriorating conditions faced by human rights activists under the current regime. The landscape has shifted dramatically since 2019 when voices for reform were gaining momentum. Now, the harsh realities of imprisonment exemplify a chilling response from authorities intent on suppressing any challenge to their power.
Xu Zhiyong’s hunger strike serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who resist silence in the face of oppression. As his health declines under the harsh realities of detention, calls for his release grow louder, echoing the universal cry for justice and human rights. The international community stands in solidarity, pressing China to uphold basic rights and ensure the safety of all who dare to dream of freedom. The tale of Xu is but one thread in a larger tapestry of struggle, resilience, and hope for a just society.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
