The UN Human Rights Office has strongly condemned the recent sentencing of prominent Chinese human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng and his wife, Xu Yan. Yu was sentenced to three years in prison, while Xu received a one-year and nine-month sentence. The couple was detained in April 2023 while en route to meet European Union officials in Beijing.
In a statement on social media platform X, the UN said, “We deeply regret the conviction of Yu Wensheng and Xu Yan on charges of inciting state subversion. We urgently call for their immediate and unconditional release.”
Amnesty International Joins the Call
Amnesty International has echoed the UN’s concerns, describing the couple’s imprisonment as a violation of their human rights. “Their sentencing sends a chilling message to human rights defenders and civil society in China,” the organization said in a joint statement with other civil society groups.
Charges Rooted in Activism
Initially detained for “picking quarrels and stirring up trouble,” a charge frequently used against critics of the Chinese government, Yu and Xu were later convicted of “incitement to subvert state power.” The couple’s trial on August 28, attended by diplomats from over ten countries, ended with severe sentences.
Global Repercussions
The EU has filed a formal complaint regarding the couple’s detention, citing concerns over China’s treatment of human rights defenders. Amnesty International highlighted that the sentences not only suppress freedom of expression but also hinder constructive dialogue between civil society and international diplomats.
Pressure Mounts on Beijing
As international organizations rally for their release, the case of Yu Wensheng and Xu Yan has become a symbol of the broader struggle for human rights in China.
