Huang, Chinese #MeToo activist, sentenced to five years in prison – DW – 06/14/2024

A Chinese court sentenced prominent #MeToo activist Huang Xueqin to five years in prison, finding her guilty of state subversion, according to a group campaigning for her release and a copy of the court verdict.

Labor rights activist Wang Jianbing, who was also on trial with Huang, was sentenced to three years and six months by the Guangdong Intermediate People's Court.

Huang, an independent journalist, reportedly plans to appeal her conviction. It is unclear whether Wang would also appeal his conviction.

“[The sentence] was longer than expected,” a spokesperson for the Free campaign group Huang Xueqin and Wang Jianbing said on condition of anonymity.

“I don't think it should have been this serious, and it's completely unnecessary. We support Huang Xueqin's intention to appeal,” he told Reuters news agency.

Why were Huang and Wang arrested?

Supporters lost contact with the two activists in September 2021, and they were officially arrested a month later.

The two men were later detained in Guangzhou province and their closed-door trial did not begin until 2023.

Huang, who covered #MeToo allegations and Hong Kong anti-government protests in 2019, was also arrested in 2019.

Huang and Wang were charged with sedition following rallies they organized for Chinese youth where they exchanged views on social issues.

Throughout their detention and trial, both maintained their innocence.

The Chinese government often invokes the charge of “inciting subversion of state power” against dissidents. The charge carries a maximum prison sentence of five years, but may be extended depending on the seriousness of the acts.

“A chilling effect on human rights”

“This is a denial and obliteration of the value of social justice as well as a denial of moderate voices in civil society. It's a very bad sign,” said one person from the campaign group, who called for remain anonymous.

Envoys from the United States, Denmark, France, Germany, New Zealand and the United Kingdom tried to attend the trial but were not allowed entry, the agency told Reuters press two diplomats, who were not authorized to speak to the media.

“These convictions will prolong their deeply unjust detention and have a further chilling effect on human rights and social defense in a country where activists face increasing state repression,” said Sarah Brooks, director of Amnesty International for China, in a press release.

Chinese foreign affairs spokesperson Lin Jian responded to Huang and Wang's condemnation and said: “China firmly opposes any country or organization challenging China's judicial sovereignty.” »

He said China is a country based on the rule of law and anyone who breaks the law
would be punished.

mfi/sms (Reuters, dpa, AFP)