News & Updates
Reuters: Prominent Chinese rights lawyer says he is formally disbarred
April 14, 2016 – Chinese legal authorities on Thursday formally disbarred a prominent rights lawyer who was handed a suspended sentence last year for writing Internet posts the government said incited ethnic hatred, ending his career.
Beijing ‘silencing’ outspoken rights lawyer with restrictions on suspended jail term
Jan 4, 2015-Rights lawyer Pu Zhiqiang, who was convicted for his online criticism of the Communist Party, will begin serving the terms of his suspended sentence on Tuesday after he declined to appeal, but the previously outspoken figure will remain under tight restrictions aimed at silencing him, his lawyer said on Monday.
Hu Yong: No, Pu Zhiqiang’s Release Is Not A Victory
It is surprising then that in their decision on December 22, the Second Intermediate Court of Beijing found Pu Zhiqiang guilty of inciting ethnic hatred and picking quarrels, and sentenced him to a three-year suspended sentence. This is not a “legal victory” as painted by the official media, but rather a tremendous disgrace of the so-called “rule of law.”
Ai Weiwei: Courage on Trial in China
Dec 22, 2015-In April 2011, I was kidnapped by the Chinese undercover police at a Beijing airport and detained at a secret location for 81 days. After my release, the government charged me with tax evasion, even though most of the questions during my confinement centered on my political activities. They demanded that I pay back taxes and a fine totaling $2.4 million, and when I asked why the shakedown, one official replied, “If we don’t penalize you, you won’t give us any peace.”
Lawyer Shang Baojun’s Defense Statement
Following his trial on December 14, rights lawyer Pu Zhiqiang was given a three-year suspended sentence for “inciting ethnic hatred” and “picking quarrels and provoking troubles,” after spending 19 months in detention. Attorney Shang Baojun defended Pu at his trial, where he delivered the following statement.
Pu Zhiqiang is a prominent civil rights lawyer in Beijing, well known internationally and in the mainstream Chinese media for his work in protecting free speech and abolishing labour camps in China, among other issues. He considers himself a moderate working within the legal system to defend the rights of individuals and bring about change in his native country he feels passionate about. On May 6, 2014, Pu was detained by authorities after attending a private meeting in Beijing where he participated in a discussion about the upcoming 25th anniversary of the military crackdown on student-led protests in Tiananmen Square. On June 13, 2014, he was formally arrested for “creating a public disturbance” and “illegally obtaining the personal information of citizens.” This website aims to provide the latest news, information and legal analyses of the case for “Lawyer Pu,” who now needs legal and public assistance because of the uncertain future he faces. It will also provide information on other rights lawyers who are detained or facing legal proceedings in China.
Pu’s Video Workshop Exposed Party Abuses
Subtitles translated by China Media Project, JMSC, in collaboration with ChinaFile.