Chinese lawyer Yu Wensheng reunites with family after three years of arbitrary detention

On 13 April, Chinese human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng was able to leave Zhenjiang Prison and reunite with his family in Beijing, according to his wife Xu Yan. His release comes after three years of arbitrary detention. in retaliation for his human rights work.

Yu and Xu, both human rights defenders in China, were taken into police custody on 13 April 2023 while on their way to meet European Union officials in Beijing. Yu was sentenced to three years in prison, and Xu to one year and nine months, for ‘inciting subversion of State power’.

This is a charge frequently made against those who engage in human rights advocacy or dissent, or who seek to hold Chinese authorities accountable for their human rights obligations. 

Ahead of Yu’s release, ISHR joined 24 other human rights organisations in a joint statement urging the Chinese authorities to ensure that he could leave prison safely and return freely to his family in Beijing upon completion of his sentence. 

ISHR will continue to monitor the situation closely.  

We reiterate the calls made ahead of Yu’s release and urge the Chinese authorities to: 

• Ensure Yu can freely exercise his human rights, including his rights to freedom of movement and freedom of expression, and that he is able to communicate with any individual or institution he may choose. 

• End all forms of unlawful surveillance and harassment targeting Yu Wensheng, Xu Yan, their family or their friends, and ensure that their right to health is fully protected. 

ISHR also calls on the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, as well as relevant UN human rights experts, to monitor the situations of Yu Wensheng, Xu Yan and other Chinese human rights defenders, and to speak out publicly to condemn any restrictions on their vital work as human rights defenders.