The case of Ms. Li Wenzu was included in the 2017 report of the Secretary-General (A/HRC/36/31, Annex I, paras. 20–21) related to arbitrary arrest and detention in reprisal for her cooperation with the Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, during his visit to China in August 2016. The Government stated that Ms. Li’s freedom of movement had not been restricted and that she had not been subject to unlawful surveillance or harassment (A/HRC/36/31, Annex I, para. 21). Ms. Li is the wife of Mr. Wang Quanzhang, arrested on 10 July 2015 during the “709” incidents (CHN 6/2015) and whose case was taken up by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. 119 On 26 December 2018, Mr. Wang Quanzhang was tried at Tianjin No. 2 Intermediate Court, but Ms. Li Wenzu was reportedly blocked by police from leaving her apartment compound to attend the closed-door trial. Since 29 April 2019, she has been denied visitation rights with her husband, following his transfer to Linyi Prison in Shandong Province. [...] Concerning the situation of Ms. Li Wenzu, the Government informed that judicial authorities have not taken any compulsory measures against her, and the so-called harassment and arbitrary detention never happened.

The case of Ms. Li Wenzu was included in the 2019 and 2017 reports of the Secretary-General (A/HRC/42/30, para. 46 and Annex II, para. 22; A/HRC/36/31, Annex I, paras. 20–21) on allegations of her arbitrary arrest and detention following her cooperation with the Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights during his visit to China in August 2016 (CHN 9/2016). 16 During the reporting period, Ms. Li Wenzu had reportedly been restricted by police in her movements and, in December 2019, she was reportedly followed by police when going to the Embassy of France in Beijing to accept a human rights prize on behalf of her husband, Mr. Wang Quanzhang, whose case was taken up by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. 17 On 5 April 2020, her husband, was reportedly released from prison following the completion of his sentence. He was initially blocked from returning home to Beijing by Shandong authorities, despite completing a 14-day COVID-19 quarantine and repeatedly testing negative for the virus, until 27 April 2019 when his wife had a medical emergency. He has since been reunited with his family in Beijing.

The case of Ms. Li Wenzu was included in the 2020, 2019 and 2017 reports of the Secretary-General123 on allegations of her arbitrary arrest and detention following her cooperation with the Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights during his visit to China in August 2016 (CHN 9/2016).124 During the reporting period, Ms. Li Wenzu and her family reportedly remain under surveillance by the authorities, who at times prevent her from leaving her home, including on 10 December 2020, blocking her public participation in Human Rights Day. In July 2020, Ms. Li Wenzu’s husband, Mr. Wang Quanzhang, whose four-year detention was taken up by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention,125 revealed that he was tortured during his detention in a publicized legal complaint made to the Beijing Chaoyang District People’s Court regarding his detention, and the family has reported the significant psychological toll the case has taken.

45. Reportedly, Ms. Li Wenzu and Mr. Wang Quanzhang were prevented from leaving their home on 10 December 2021 and observing Human Rights Day by several individuals who refused to identify themselves. This was the second year in a row that Ms. Li was prevented from leaving her home to commemorate Human Rights Day. According to information received, during the reporting period, Mr. Wang Quanzhang, whose detention was considered arbitrary by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, reportedly filed numerous petitions, complaints and public information requests with relevant bureaus about alleged legal violations committed by authorities during his detention, trial, and imprisonment, with no response at the time of writing. Reportedly, Mr. Wang sought to file a civil suit against the authorities for the alleged violations of his rights during detention, but had received no response at the time of writing. On 30 November 2021, Mr. Wang Quanzhang and two other human rights lawyers including Ms. Wang Yu (see below) – were reportedly detained for interrogation by public security authorities from the Changqing District police station in Kiamuzse, Heilongjiang province after they sought to file a complaint with the Discipline and Inspection Committee of nearby Xiangyang District regarding legal violations in the trial of a Falungong practitioner.

35. The case of Ms. Li Wenzu was included in the 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 reports of the Secretary-General 55 on allegations of her arbitrary arrest and detention following her cooperation with the Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights during his visit to China in August 2016 (CHN 9/2016).56 According to information received by OHCHR, during the reporting period, Ms. Li Wenzu and Mr. Wang Quanzhang, and members of their family, were reportedly under the surveillance of [assigned] police agents, when leaving their home. Reportedly, on 8 March 2023, some 20 State security police agents surrounded their home, pointing shining flashlights at it and blocking with umbrellas the security cameras that the family had earlier installed. Reportedly, the tires of Mr. Wang Quanzhang’s car were also punctured. The authorities reportedly told the couple that the restrictions were due to the International Women’s Day. On 10 December 2022, similar restrictions were reportedly imposed, preventing the couple from leaving the home to observe Human Rights Day. This was reportedly the third year in a row that Ms. Li was prevented from leaving her home to commemorate Human Rights Day. Reportedly, her passport application was rejected by the authorities during the reporting period, and as a result she remains unable to travel internationally.

61. The case of Ms. Li Wenzu has been included in the reports of the Secretary-General since 2019, and prior to that in the 2017 report,67 on allegations of her arbitrary arrest and detention following her cooperation with the then Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights during his visit to China in August 2016 (CHN 9/2016).68 According to information received by OHCHR, during the reporting period, Ms. Li Wenzu and Mr. Wang Quanzhang were under close surveillance by police agents and unidentified people. Since April 2023, they have been reportedly evicted several times from their place of residence, following police visits, questioning and harassment of landlords and hotel managers. Reportedly, at the time of writing their son remained unable to enrol and attend school due to pressure by state authorities, including police, on different schools.