Beijing-based human rights activist Hu Jia was formally charged with "inciting subversion" on 28 January. Hu Jia is the co-founder of the Beijing Aizhixing Institute of Health Education and an outspoken advocate for people with HIV/AIDS. He has publicly criticized the authorities over their treatment of people with AIDS and other issues, and has been detained on numerous occasions in the past in connection with his peaceful human rights activities.
Hu Jia was sentenced on 3 April 2008 to three years and six months' imprisonment and one year's deprivation of political rights for "inciting subversion of state power" by the Beijing Municipal No. 1 Intermediate People's Court. His lawyers were present at the hearing, as were his mother and his wife, activist Zeng Jinyan. The authorities appear to have jailed Hu Jia in order to prevent him from continuing with his peaceful human rights activities, and to silence his public criticism of China's human rights record ahead of the Beijing Olympics. Amnesty International considers Hu Jia a prisoner of conscience, jailed solely for exercising his right to freedom of expression.
The verdict demonstrates that promises made by Chinese officials that human rights would improve in the run-up to the Olympics remain unfulfilled. It also serves as a warning to other activists in China. Hu Jia was detained on 27 December 2007 and formally charged on 28 January 2008. In custody awaiting trial, Hu Jia was denied access to his lawyers and his family. He was also denied medical treatment, including the daily medication he needs to combat Hepatitis B. He was kept under house arrest for months before he was formally detained. Zeng Jinyan and their new-born daughter are still under house arrest, and their telephone line and internet connection have been cut.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible:
- expressing deep concern that Hu Jia has been imprisoned solely for engaging in peaceful and legitimate human
rights activities and in violation of his fundamental right to freedom of expression;
- calling on the authorities to release him immediately and unconditionally, as he is a prisoner of conscience;
- urging the authorities to stop police surveillance and harassment of Zeng Jinyan and allow her to contact the
outside world in line with her fundamental rights to freedom of movement, expression and association;
- expressing deep concern that detaining, trying and sentencing human rights activists for their peaceful activities
runs counter to promises made by numerous Chinese officials that human rights would improve in the run-up to
the Beijing Olympics of August 2008. »Take Action
Hu Jia was sentenced on 3 April 2008 to three years and six months' imprisonment and one year's deprivation of political rights for "inciting subversion of state power" by the Beijing Municipal No. 1 Intermediate People's Court. His lawyers were present at the hearing, as were his mother and his wife, activist Zeng Jinyan. The authorities appear to have jailed Hu Jia in order to prevent him from continuing with his peaceful human rights activities, and to silence his public criticism of China's human rights record ahead of the Beijing Olympics. Amnesty International considers Hu Jia a prisoner of conscience, jailed solely for exercising his right to freedom of expression.
The verdict demonstrates that promises made by Chinese officials that human rights would improve in the run-up to the Olympics remain unfulfilled. It also serves as a warning to other activists in China. Hu Jia was detained on 27 December 2007 and formally charged on 28 January 2008. In custody awaiting trial, Hu Jia was denied access to his lawyers and his family. He was also denied medical treatment, including the daily medication he needs to combat Hepatitis B. He was kept under house arrest for months before he was formally detained. Zeng Jinyan and their new-born daughter are still under house arrest, and their telephone line and internet connection have been cut.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible:
- expressing deep concern that Hu Jia has been imprisoned solely for engaging in peaceful and legitimate human
rights activities and in violation of his fundamental right to freedom of expression;
- calling on the authorities to release him immediately and unconditionally, as he is a prisoner of conscience;
- urging the authorities to stop police surveillance and harassment of Zeng Jinyan and allow her to contact the
outside world in line with her fundamental rights to freedom of movement, expression and association;
- expressing deep concern that detaining, trying and sentencing human rights activists for their peaceful activities
runs counter to promises made by numerous Chinese officials that human rights would improve in the run-up to
the Beijing Olympics of August 2008. »Take Action
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