Beijing, China — Concerns are intensifying for Xu Zhiyong, a prominent Chinese human rights lawyer and legal scholar, amid reports that his health is severely declining after nearly a month on a hunger strike. Xu, a staunch advocate for transparency and civil liberties in China’s New Citizens’ Movement, has been incarcerated since February 2020 due to his participation in a gathering of activists and lawyers.
Xu began his hunger strike on October 4, 2024, as a protest against the conditions of his detention in Lunan Prison, Shandong Province, where he is subjected to stringent surveillance and psychological pressure. Reports from human rights organizations indicate that Xu has been denied access to his legal representatives and his communication with the outside world, including family, is severely restricted.
The arrest and subsequent imprisonment of Xu and his colleague, Ding Jiaxi, another human rights lawyer, followed their involvement in a December 2019 event that prompted charges of subversion of state power. In April 2023, Xu was sentenced to 14 years and Ding to 12 years. Their trials, which were held privately and reportedly fraught with procedural issues, have been criticized by global human rights advocates as unjust and politically motivated.
This harsh crackdown on dissent is part of a broader strategy under the administration of President Xi Jinping, which has seen an increased use of national security laws against government critics. The plight of Xu and similar cases highlight ongoing efforts to suppress voices advocating for reform and greater freedoms of expression and assembly in China.
Human Rights Watch, along with other international advocacy groups, has voiced significant alarm over the handling of human rights defenders in China. Maya Wang, Associate China Director at Human Rights Watch, emphasized, “The fact that Xu has resorted to a hunger strike to call attention to his plight underscores the severity of his mistreatment.”
In response to these developments, entities like Amnesty International and the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders are calling for the immediate release of Xu, Ding, and other detained human rights advocates. They urge the Chinese authorities to ensure the well-being of these individuals, both physically and psychologically.
The European Union has also expressed its concern over Xu’s treatment and that of other detained activists, highlighting the need for international oversight to prevent torture and harsh treatment within Chinese detention facilities.
As Xu’s situation becomes increasingly critical, pressure is mounting internationally for China to respect the basic rights of imprisoned activists and ensure fair treatment under the principles of international law. The world watches closely as advocates for human rights demand significant changes to how China manages dissent and handles those who dare to challenge the status quo.
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