A/HRC/45/36
sentence on charges brought in July 2018 on “subversion of state power,” which reportedly
also accused Mr. Qin Yongmin of promotion of engagement with UN human rights
mechanisms. His family has reportedly been unable to contact him since the COVID-19
outbreak, and, prior to the outbreak, he had not been allowed to make phone calls and his
family received only sporadic letters from him. Ms. Zhao Suli reportedly continues to
remain under de facto house arrest, and when she leaves her home she is reportedly
followed by police.
23.
The cases of Mr. Mi Chongbiao and his wife Ms. Li Kezhen were included in the
2019 and 2018 reports of the Secretary-General (A/HRC/42/30, para. 46 and Annex II, para.
21; A/HRC/39/41, Annex I, paras. 15–16) after Mr. Mi Chongbiao posted a complaint
online that was submitted to the Human Rights Council. In the reporting period, the couple
reportedly continue to face restrictions on their freedom of movement. Plain clothes police
officers reportedly wait outside their house and follow them when they leave their house.
24.
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.
25.
The case of Ms. Wang Qiaoling was included in the 2019 and 2017 reports of the
Secretary-General (A/HRC/42/30, para. 46 and Annex II, paras. 23–24; A/HRC/36/31,
Annex I, paras. 20–21) on allegations of intimidation and harassment for her cooperation
with the Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights during his visit to China
in August 2016 (A/HRC/34/75, CHN 9/2016). 18 During the reporting period, Ms. Wang
Qiaoling noted suspicious activity around her home by unknown actors, while her husband,
Mr. Li Heping arrested in 2015 19 (CHN 6/2015), 20 continues to serve his sentence on
charges of “subversion of state power” (CHN 3/2017) 21 with restricted freedom of
movement, and remains disbarred.
26.
The case of lawyer Mr. Jiang Tianyong was included in the 2019, 2018 and 2017
reports of the Secretary-General on allegations of intimidation and harassment for his
cooperation with the Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights during his
visit to China in August 2016 22 (A/HRC/42/30, para. 46 and Annex II, para. 25–26;
A/HRC/39/41, Annex II, paras. 14–16; and A/HRC/36/31, Annex I, paras. 22–24) and was
the subject of actions by special procedures mandate holders (CHN 9/2019 23 and CHN
13/2016, CHN 15/201624; CHN 3/201725).26
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
56
https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=33318.
Opinion No. 62/2018 adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its eighty-second
session, concerning Wang Quanzhang, Jiang Tianyong and Li Yuhan (China), 20–24 August 2018.
https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=33318.
OHCHR, “UN Human Rights Chief deeply concerned by China clampdown on lawyers and activists,
16 February 2016; OHCHR, Press Briefing Note, Spokesperson of the High Commissioner for
Human Rights (5 May 2017); OHCHR, “Lawyers need to be protected not harassed” – UN experts
urge China to halt detentions, (16 July 2015); UN Committee Against Torture, Concluding
observations on the fifth periodic report of China (9 December 2015).
https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=32826.
https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=33449.
OHCHR, “UN experts urge China to investigate disappearance of human rights lawyer Jiang
Tianyong,” (6 December 2016).
https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=34846.
https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=33355.