Amnesty International today designated three prominent human rights defenders from Hong Kong and mainland China as prisoners of conscience.
Who are the human rights defenders recognized by Amnesty International?
- Chow Hang-tung
- Ding Jiaxi
- Jimmy Lai
The human rights lawyers Chow Hang-tung and Ding Jiaxi, along with the free media advocate Jimmy Lai, are currently imprisoned solely because of their peaceful human rights activism, according to Amnesty International.
What does Amnesty International say about the situation of the defenders?
“As the Chinese government touts progress on its measures to promote human rights, the stories of these three human rights defenders demonstrate a starkly different reality inside the country,” said Sarah Brooks, Amnesty International’s China Director.
What have been the charges against Jimmy Lai?
- Lai faced charges of “colluding with foreign forces” under the NSL
- He was charged with sedition
- Lai has been convicted on four separate cases
Jimmy Lai faces the maximum sentence of life imprisonment in his ongoing national security trial.
Why was Chow Hang-tung charged?
- For participating in a peaceful vigil
- For inciting subversion under the NSL
Chow Hang-tung, who used her legal knowledge to defend rights even during imprisonment, continues to fight for justice.
What happened at the informal gathering in Xiamen in 2019?
Dozens of lawyers and activists, including Ding Jiaxi, were targeted after attending an informal gathering to discuss current affairs in China.
What challenges do prisoners of conscience face in China?
Prisoners like Ding Jiaxi reportedly face serious restrictions in prison, including limited communication and access to reading materials.
“By designating Chow, Lai and Ding as prisoners of conscience, we stand with all those unjustly detained for saying out loud what they believe to be true,” said Sarah Brooks from Amnesty International.
Source: www.amnesty.org