Fifth Anniversary of 709 Crackdown: Updated Chart of Persecution of Lawyers and Legal and Rights Advocates

Last updated: July 9, 2020

The 709 Crackdown affected some 300 lawyers and legal and rights advocates. Below is a chart that summarizes the charges against them, their sentences, and their status as of July 2020. (The order of the case listing in the chart is based on the severity of the charge and length of time in custody.)

Those Convicted

Name Occupation	Detention, Charge, and Sentence	Status
“Subversion of State Power”
Hu Shigen (胡石根) Democracy and religious freedom activist	Taken away on July 10, 2015 and criminally detained on the July 11. Convicted of “subversion of state power” and sentenced to seven and a half years of imprisonment and five years of post-release deprivation of political rights. Source [1].	Serving his sentence as of July 2020. Suffering from heart disease, Hu has been denied medical parole multiple times. On August 6, 2019, Gary Bauer, head of U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, called for his immediate, unconditional release. Source [2]. Source [3].
Zhou Shifeng (周世鋒) [4] Lawyer and law firm director	Portrayed in official media a “die-hard” (sike)lawyer. Taken away on July 10, 2015. Convicted of “subversion of state power” and sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment and five years of post-release deprivation of political rights. Source [5]. Source [6].	The Beijing Justice Bureau revoked his lawyer's license in January 2018, and, two months later, revoked the license of his law firm, the Beijing Fengrui Law Firm. Serving his sentence as of July 2020. Source [7].
Wang Quanzhang (王全璋) Human rights lawyer	Taken away on July 9, 2015. Convicted of “subversion of state power” and sentenced to four-and-a-half years’ imprisonment and five years of post-release deprivation of political rights. Source [8].	Through continuous public advocacy, his wife, Li Wenzu, raised international attention to his case. Released on April 5, 2020 but was sent to his hometown of Jinan for COVID-19 quarantine. Was finally allowed to return to Beijing on April 27 to reunite with his wife and children. Source [9].
Li Heping (李和平) [10] Human rights lawyer	Taken away on July 10, 2015, and later convicted of “subversion of state power” and sentenced to three years in prison, suspended for four years, and four years of post-release deprivation of political rights. Source [1].	Sentence completed on May 9, 2017. His wife, Wang Qiaoling, had continued to call for international attention to his. She also helped other 709 family members defend their rights, in an informal “709 Family Resistance” alliance. Source [11].
Zhai Yanmin (翟岩民) Law firm employee	Detained on suspicion of “gathering crowds to disturb social order.” Convicted of “subversion of state power” and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment, suspended for four years, and four years of post-release deprivation of political rights. Source [1].	Sentence completed. Source [12].
Gou Hongguo (勾洪国) Rights activist	Taken away on July 10, 2015. Placed under residential surveillance in a designated location (RSDL) on suspicion of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” on July 11. Convicted of "subversion of state power" and sentenced to three years in prison, suspended for three years, and deprivation of political rights for years. Source [6]. Source [13].	Permitted to undergo gallbladder removal surgery in Beijing in June 2017. Completed his sentence. Source [14].
“Inciting Subversion of State Power”
Wu Gan (吴淦) [15] （aka Tufu屠夫） Rights activist	Detained in May 2015 on suspicion of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble.” Convicted of “inciting subversion of state power” and sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment and five years of post-release deprivation of political rights.” Source [16].	Serving his sentence as of July 2020.
Yu Wensheng (余文生) Human rights lawyer	Represented many 709 cases. Detained on January 19, 2018 on suspicion of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble" allegedly committed several years earlier. The accusation was later changed to “obstructing official business,” and then changed again, on January 27, to "inciting subversion of state power." Yu had issued a proposal to amend the constitution by deleting the “Preamble.” On June 17, 2020, his wife Xu Yan received a phone call from the Xuzhou Procuratorate informing her that Yu has been convicted of “inciting subversion of state power” and sentenced to four years’ imprisonment and three years of post-release deprivation of political rights. Source [17].	Servicing his sentence as of July 2020.
Jiang Tianyong (江天勇) Human rights lawyer	Administratively detained on November 22, 2016, on suspicion of “impersonation by using another resident’s identity card.” Placed on residential surveillance in a designated location (RSDL) on December 1, 2016, under suspicion of “inciting subversion of state power.” Officially arrested on May 31, 2017. Convicted on November 21, 2017 and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment and three years of post-release deprivation of political rights. Source [18].	Has been under house arrest in his hometown of Xinyang, Henan Province, since his release on February 28, 2019, under round-the-clock surveillance. Prevented from seeking medical treatments and leaving China to reunite with his wife. Source [19].
Xie Yang (谢阳) Human rights lawyer	Taken away in Changsha, Hunan Province, on July 11, 2015. Officially arrested on January 8, 2016. Permitted to meet with a lawyer November 21, 2016, nearly a year-and-a-half in detention. January 19, 2017, Xie Yang's lawyer Chen Jiangang and Liu Zhengqing published the "Transcript of Meeting Xie Yang," which disclosed details of his torture, raising international attention. Later, Xie Yang pleaded guilty on CCTV and refuted reports of his torture. Xie was released on bail in May 2017. He was convicted of “inciting subversion of state power” on December 26, 2017 but was exempted from punishment. Source [20].	On February 19, 2017, his wife Chen Guiqiu and two daughters fled to Thailand before flying to the United States. Xie Yang has been under surveillance and is forbidden to leave China to reunite with his family. He had continued to represent 709 cases, including those of Wang Quanzhang, Yu Wensheng, and Jian Tianyong. In June 2019, he disclosed that he was forced to confess guilt under threat of harm to his daughter and admitted to cooperating with authorities in order to avoid revocation of his lawyer's license. Source [21].
“Picking Quarrels and Provoking Trouble”
Yin Xu’an (尹旭安) Rights defender	Taken away from his home on July 28, 2015, after participating in a protest on July 25 in Wuhan against Wu Gan’s persecution and for posting photos of the protest online. Officially criminally detained on August 23 and officially arrested on September 26 on suspicion of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble. " Convicted on May 27, 2017 and sentenced to three years and six months’ imprisonment. Sustained abuse and beating in prison resulting in physical and psychological trauma.	Released on December 27, 2018, after serving his full term. Arrested again in May 2019 and detained in a detention facility in Daye City, Hubei Province. Source [22].
Wang Fang (王芳) Rights defender	Detained on July 28, 2015. Convicted of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble" on July 18, 2017 and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.	Released on June 11, 2018. Source [23].
Li Yanjun (李燕军) Rights defender	Taken away on June 15, 2015. Convicted of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble" on September 8, 2017 and sentenced to two years and five months’ imprisonment. Source [24].	Released on October 6, 2017. Source [25].
Yao Jianqing (姚建清) (known online as Little Lamb) Rights defender	Detained on June 15, 2015, on suspicion of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble." Released a month later. Arrested on July 17, 2015, on suspicion of “gathering crowds to disturb social order." Convicted in late 2016 of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment. Source [26]. Source [27].	Released on June 4, 2017. Source [28].
Liu Xing (刘星) (aka Lao Dao Liu Xing) Rights defender	Detained on June 15, 2015. Convicted of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble" and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment on December 28, 2016. Source [26].	Released on May 25, 2017. Source [26]
Zhang Weihong (张卫红) (aka Zhang Wanhe 张皖荷) Rights defender	Detained on June 15, 2015. Convicted of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble" and sentenced to one year and eight months’ imprisonment on December 29, 2016. Source [29].	Released on January 3, 2017.

Those taken into custody but not tried

Name Occupation	Form of suppression	Status
Li Chunfu (李春富) Human rights lawyer	Brother of lawyer Li Heping. Detained detained by the Tianjin police on August 1, 2015, while searching for his brother.	Obtained bail on January 12, 2017. Diagnosed with schizophrenia on January 14. Resumed legal practice a year-and-a-half later. Revealed that during his detention, he was forced to take daily medications characterized as hypertension drugs by authorities. On December 16, 2019, he was stopped at the border when crossing from Yunnan Province into Laos. Source [30].
Xie Yanyi (谢燕益) Human rights lawyer	Detained in Beijing on July 12, 2015. Source [31]; Source [32]	Released from detention on January 5, 2017 but was kept in a hotel in Tianjin until January 18. In December 2019, it was revealed that the family was still controlled by the authorities and was prevented from leaving the country. The three minor children were also refused passports by the authorities. Source [1].
Liu Sixin (刘四新) Has doctorate degree in criminal law and post-doctorate degree in economics	Criminally detained by the Tianjin police on July 10, 2015, on suspicion of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble,” and formally arrested on January 8, 2016, on suspicion of “subversion of state power.” Source [33].	Release on bail from detention on September 29, 2016.Source [33].
Lin Bin (林斌) (aka Monk Wang Yun (望云和尚)) Rights defender	Taken away by the Tianjin police on July 10, 2015, and placed under residential surveillance in a designated location (RSDL) on suspicion of “inciting subversion of state power.” Officially arrested in January 2016. Source [34].	Obtained bail pending trial on August 6, 2016 and was placed under house arrest in Tianjin for more than two months and then in the Ziguo Temple in Fujian. In August 2017, he was transferred to another temple and placed under relaxed house arrest. He was finally released on July 24, 2018. Source [35].
Liu Yongping (刘永平) (aka Lao Mu) Rights defender	Taken away on July 10, 2015 and placed under “residential surveillance in a designated location” (RSDL) on suspicion of “subversion of state power.” Source [1].	Released on bail pending trial in late August 2016. Source [36].
Tang Zhishun (唐志顺) Rights defender	In the course of helping lawyer Wang Yu's son Bao Zhuoxuan escape from China, Tang was detained on October 10, 2015 from a hotel in Myanmar by the Myanmar police. Charged by the Chinese authorities with the crime of "crossing the border." Source [1].	Released in December 2016. Source [37]
Xing Qingxian (幸清贤) Rights defender	In the course of helping lawyer Wang Yu's son Bao Zhuoxuan escape from China, Tang was detained on October 10, 2015 from a hotel in Myanmar by the Myanmar police. Charged by the Chinese authorities with the crime of "crossing the border." Source [38].	Released in December 2016. Source [37].
Wang Yu (王宇) Human rights lawyer	Taken away on July 9, 2015 and was placed under “residential surveillance in a designated location” (RSDL) on suspicion of “inciting subversion of state power.” Shown on CCTV On October 17 condemning of foreigners for assisting his son Bao Zhuoxuan to escape from China. Source [39].	Granted bail pending trial in July 2016. In July 2017, the Tianjin Municipal Public Security Bureau lifted the coercive bail measures against her. She later revealed to the media that she “confessed” guilt under torture and threat of harm to her son. Source [40].
Bao Longjun (包龙军) Legal workers, husband of lawyer Wang Yu	Taken away on July 9, 2015, in Beijing Capital International Airport while on his way accompanying his son Bao Zhuoxuan to Australia to study. After being placed under “residential surveillance in a designated location” (RSDL) on suspicion of “inciting subversion of state power,” he was formally arrested. Source [41]	Granted bail pending trial in July 2016. In July 2017, the Tianjin Municipal Public Security Bureau lifted the coercive bail measures against him. Bao Zhuoxuan arrived in Australia on January 17, 2018 to study. Wang Yu and Bao Longjun were prevented from leaving the country. Source [42].
Zhao Wei (赵威) (aka Kao La) Assistant to lawyer Li Heping	Detained on July 10, 2015. Formally arrested on January 8, 2016 on suspicion of “subversion of state power.” She was 24 years old at the time. Source [1]. Source [43].	Released on bail pending trial on July 7, 2016 and was under surveillance of national security for a long period. In May 2017, she disclosed on Weibo that she had been forced to cooperate under the pressure of interrogation, saying she was terrified of the future. Source [44].
Li Shuyun (李姝云) Lawyer intern	Detained in Beijing on July 10, 2015, and later formally arrested on suspicion of “subversion of state power.” Source [1]. Source [45].	Granted bail pending trial in April 2016. Coercive bail measures against her were lifted a year later. In May 2017, she disclosed details of the torture and abuse she suffered during detention, including being made to stand for 16 consecutive hours and being forced to take medications. Source [46].
Sui Muqing (隋牧青) Human rights lawyer	Detained on July 10, 2015. Placed under “residential surveillance in a designated location” (RSDL) on suspicion of “subversion of state power.” Source [47].	Released on January 6, 2016. His lawyer's license was revoked in February 2018. Source [8].
Xie Yuandong (谢远东) Lawyer	Taken away and detained by Beijing police on July 10, 2015.	Released on bail pending trial in January 2016. Source [48].
Wang Liqun (黄力群) Lawyer	Taken away and detained by Beijing police on July 10, 2015.	Released on bail pending trial in January 2016. Source [48].
Wang Fang (王芳) Law firm cashier	Detained on July 10, 2015.	Released on January 7, 2016. Source [48].
Ren Quanniu (任全牛) Human rights lawyer	Zhao Wei's lawyer. Disclosed Zhao’s he announcement revealed that Zhao’s abuse in detention. Detained on July 8, 2016 by the Zhengzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau on suspicion of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble.” On August 1, Zhengzhou Public Security Bureau made public a photo of his handwritten repentance and granted him bail pending trial.	Coercive bail measures against him were lifted on August 3, 2017. Source [49].
Geng Caiwen (耿彩文) Rights defender from Wuhan	Administratively detained on July 28, 2015 for 15 days. Criminally detained on August 11. Source [50].	Released on September 26, 2015. Source [51]

Persons Still Missing or Detained (Updated as of: February 5, 2016)

[52]

709 Crackdown: A Brief Chronology (Updated as of: September 15, 2017)

Mass Crackdown on Chinese Lawyers, Defenders and International Reactions: A Brief Chronology [1]

2017
Jan 3	Wu Gan (aka Tufu) formally indicted for subversion of state power (indictment dated December 23 [53]) and will stand trial at Tianjin Municipal No. 2 Intermediate People's Court, according to an online statement made by his defense lawyer Ge Yongxi (葛永喜). At the Tianjin’s No 2 Detention Center this afternoon, Ge Yongxi was told that he would not be allowed to meet with his client until his representation of Wu Gan was confirmed by the court. Source [54].
Jan 4	Lawyers Chen Jiangang (陈建刚) and Liu Zhengqing (刘正清) meet with their client, lawyer Xie Yang, who has been detained since July 2015 on charges of “inciting subversion of state power.” Transcripts released from the lawyers’ interview with Xie Yang reveals the following: he remains in detention after refusing to plead guilty and frame fellow lawyers as conditions to his release on bail; he has suffered extensive torture while in detention. Source [55].
Jan 5	Yuan Shanshan says that her husband, Xie Yanyi, has been released from detention but remains under surveillance in a hotel in Tianjin. Source [56]. RFA reports that Tang Zhishun and Xing Qingxian have been released from detention: Tang Zhishun has returned to his home in Beijing, but Xing Qingxian’s whereabouts remain unknown, according to his wife, He Juan. Source [57].
Jan 12	Lawyer Li Chunfu, brother of human right lawyer Li Heping, is released on “bail pending further investigation” and returned to his Beijing home in psychological distress. Wang Qiaoling, wife of Li Heping, reports that Li Chunfu was skin and bones, dazed, and in a state of extreme fear. In the days following his return he was anxious, aggressive, and violent towards his wife Bi Liping (毕丽萍). Source [58].
Jan 14	Li Chunfu is hospitalized and diagnosed with symptoms of schizophrenia after experiencing extreme torture while being under “residential surveillance in a designated place” for 500 days. Source [59].
Jan 19	Xie Yanyi returns home after being detained since July 2015. He was first released on January 5 but held under surveillance in a hotel in Tianjin. Source [60].
Jan 23	According to China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group, while under “residential surveillance in a designated location” for six months, Li Heping, Wang Quanzhang, and other lawyers suffered extreme torture, including electric shock with voltage high enough to cause fainting. Source [61]. Wang Qiaoling, wife of 709 lawyer Li Heping, finds out after numerous inquiries that her husband is held at the Tianjin No. 1 Detention Center under a different name, Li Xiaocun. The detention center had previously denied that it was holding Li Heping. Source [62]. A group of senior judges, lawyers and jurists from countries around the world including Australia, France, Spain, U.S. and U.K. issue an open letter expressing continued concern over the treatment of lawyers and legal assistants, as well as their colleagues, supporters, and family members in China. Source [63].
Jan 28	The European External Action Service issues a statement calling for an investigation into the account of torture of Xie Yang, and allegations of torture of Li Heping and Wang Quanzhang, and the release of the lawyers and human rights defenders that remain in detention. Source [64].
Feb 1	TIt is confirmed online that Xing Qingxian has been released on bail and has returned home to Chengdu, approximately one month after his actual release from detention. Source [65].
Feb 14	Wang Quanzhang is indicted is on “subversion of state power. “ Source [66].
Mar 1	An article in the state-run The Global Times claims that lawyer Jiang Tianyong fabricated reports of lawyer Xie Yang’s torture, and states that Xie Yang told reporters that he was in good condition and able to contact family members while being held under residential surveillance. Xinhua accuses four foreign media outlets of producing “fake news” in reporting Xie Yang’s torture claims. Source [67].
Mar 4	China Central Television (CCTV) broadcasts an “interview” with lawyer Jiang Tianyong “confessing” to distributing fabricated reports of lawyer Xie Yang’s torture. Source [68].
Mar 9	Chen Guiqiu, wife of Xie Yang, releases a video calling for international attention on her husband’s case. She also condemns the deterioration of the rule of law in China and urges the authorities to release all those detained. Source [69].
Mar 10	Lawyer Chen Jiangang releases a half-hour video in which he stands by the veracity of his transcripts of his meetings with detained lawyer Xie Yang, who detailed acts of torture he suffered in detention. Chen also denounces state-run media reports that claimed that Xie’s allegation of torture was fabricated. Source [70].
Apr 5	Xie Yang’s wife, Chen Guiqiu (陈桂秋), writes letter to the state-appointed lawyer, He Xiaodian (贺小电), criticizing him for meeting with Xie Yang without the knowledge of or permission from Xie’s family, while the authorities have repeatedly refused to allow the two family-appointed lawyers, Chen Jiangang (陈建刚) and Liu Zhengqing (刘正清), to meet with Xie. Source [71].
Apr 10	Chen Jiangang (陈建刚) receives another phone call from Beijing Chaoyang Bureau of Justice stating that he will be investigated for the transcripts he posted online regarding Xie Yang’s alleged torture in detention. Chen also reports that lawyer He Xiaodian has again met with Xie Yang, and stresses that the authorities refusing to let Xie meet with the lawyer of his family’s choosing is unreasonable and unlawful. Source [72].
Apr 20	Xie Yang’s wife, Chen Guiqiu (陈桂秋), issues statement that Changsha Intermediate People’s Court will try Xie Yang on April 25, 2017 for inciting subversion of state power and disrupting court order, and that his defense lawyer at court will be He Xiaodian. Source. [73]
Apr 25	Dozens of supporters gather outside Changsha Intermediate People’s Court for Xie Yang’s trial on charges of inciting subversion of state power and disrupting court order but were told that the trial has been postponed indefinitely. Source [74].
May 3	While on holiday in Xishuangbanna, lawyer Chen Jiangang (陈建刚), his wife, two children, and two of his friends are detained at a Jinghong, Yunnan police station around 1pm. At around 5pm, all six are taken away from the station in vehicles by armed police. Source [75]. In January 2017, published transcripts of his meetings with his client Xie Yang (谢阳), detained 709 lawyer, who detailed torture he suffered in detention. Xie is charged with “inciting subversion of state power.”
May 8	Lawyer Xie Yang is tried at Changsha Intermediate People’s Court for inciting subversion of state power and disrupting court order. No verdict is announced. The court announces in a Weibo post that lawyer Xie Yang is charged with “inciting subversion of state power and disrupting court order.” The court also releases a video on a Hunan TV station showing Xie Yang admitting to working with foreign media outlets to sensationalize stories, and stating that he had not been tortured. Source [76]. State-run media outlet The Global Times reports that Xie Yang has been released on bail following the trial. Source [77]. Earlier this year, on January 13, Xie said in a hand-written note that was later released online: “If, one day in the future, I do confess—whether in writing or on camera or on tape — that will not be the true expression of my own mind. It may be because I’ve been subjected to prolonged torture, or because I’ve been offered the chance to be released on bail to reunite with my family.” Source [78].
May 9	Lawyer Li Heping returns home. In photographs and a video clips released online, he appears to have lost weight and has visibly aged, with his hair now white. He was first detained on July 10, 2015. Source [79].
May 18	At an U.S congressional hearing titled “Disappeared, Jailed, and Tortured in China: Wives Petition for Their Husbands’ Freedom [80],” Chen Guiqiu, wife of Xie Yang, along with Wang Yanfeng, wife of lawyer Tang Jingling, and Lee Chin-yu, wife of Taiwanese human rights activist Lee Ming-che, testify about their husbands’ cases—including their disappearances, denied access to lawyers, and torture in detentionLi Wenzu, wife of lawyer Wang Quanzhang, also testifies via a video message. Source. [81]
May 26	Family of lawyer Wang Quanzhang, including his father, mother, and wife Li Wenzu, are followed by police as they attempt to file a lawsuit against the Supreme People’s Procuratorate for illegal procedures in the processing of his case. Wang has been missing for 685 days and no information has been released to his family or lawyers. The lawsuit was not accepted by the procuratorate, which claimed the family did not follow appropriate procedures. Source [82].
Jun 5	Jiang Tianyong's father receives an official notice, dated May 31, 2017, stating that Jiang has been formally arrested on suspicion of subverting state power. The notice also states that he is being held at Changsha City No. 1 Detention Center. This is the first time his family has been made aware of his whereabouts in the six months since his detention. Source [83].

See full chronology starting from June 2015 > [84]

Responses

Domestic Actions

Cai Ying, one of Li Heping’s lawyers: Application For Administrative Reconsideration of Government Decision to Ban Me from Leaving China [85], August 17, 2015
Urgent Appeal to Investigate Actions by Ministry of Public Security Police against More than 200 Lawyers and Citizens [86], August 4, 2015
Civil Complaint by Wang Qiaoling, Wife of Lawyer Li Heping, Against Xinhua News Agency and Eight other Media Organizations for Defaming Li Heping [87], August 3, 2015
Letter of Complaint Sent to The Supreme People’s Procuratorate of the People’s Republic of China [88], July 31, 2015

UN & Governments

United Nations Human Rights, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, “UN Human Rights Chief deeply concerned by China clampdown on lawyers and activists [89],” February 16, 2016

Australian Government, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, “Recent human rights developments in China [90],” July 17, 2015.

Government of Canada, “Canada Gravely Concerned by Detention and Disappearance of Lawyers and Activists in China [91],” July 16, 2015

United Nations Human Rights, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, “'Lawyers need to be protected not harassed’ – UN experts urge China to halt detentions [92],” July 16, 2015

European Union External Action, “Statement by the Spokesperson on recent developments in the human rights situation in China [93],” July 15, 2015

Congressional-Executive Commission on China “'Increasingly Bold Disregard for Basic Human Rights [94],” July 14, 2015.

Federal Foreign Office of Germany, “Human Rights Commissioner Strässer condemns the arrest of scores of lawyers in China [95],” July 14, 2015.

U.S. Department of State, “U.S. Condemns Detention of Human Rights Defenders in China [96],” July 12, 2015.

Professional Associations

Law Council of Australia, “Law Council of Australia urges DFAT to redouble efforts with Chinese Government to release detained lawyers [97],” July 11, 2016
Law Council of Australia, "Law Council joins UN and IBA in concern for Chinese lawyers [98]," December 21, 2015
International Bar Association, "IBAHRI urges China to uphold lawyers’ rights and implement UN recommendations to eradicate torture [99]," December 21, 2015
The New Zealand Law Society, “NZ Law Society says Chinese human rights set back by lawyer arrests [100],” August 3, 2015
New York City Bar Association, “Letter to His Excellency Xi Jinping regarding the detention of Chinese lawyers [101],” July 28, 2015.
China Law Translate, “Global Responses To Detention Of Lawyers (MAP) [102],” July 26, 2015.
The Japan Federation of Bar Associations, “中国の弁護士の一斉連行を憂慮し、弁護士の職務活動の保障等を求める会長声明 [103],” July 24, 2015.
International Bar Association, Human Rights Institute, “Open letter to His Excellency Mr Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, from the IBAHRI [104],” July 22, 2015.
Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales, “Open letter: Arrest and detention of lawyers and human rights activists in China [105],” July 17, 2015.
Hong Kong Bar Association, “Statement of the Hong Kong Bar Association On Reports of Multiple Arrests Made of Mainland Legal Professionals [106],” July 18, 2015.
Taipei Bar Association, “台北律師公會針對大陸政府大規模逮捕維權律師之聲明 [107],” July 17, 2015.
Law Council of Australia, “Law Council deeply concerned with ‘crackdown’ against lawyers in China [108],” July 17, 2015.
Der Deutsche Anwaltverein (DAV) [German Bar Association] “DAV demands clarification by Chinese authorities” July 17, 2015. EN [109], GER [110]
Foreign Correspondents Club Hong Kong, “FCCHK Statement on the detention of human rights lawyers in China [111],” July 17, 2015.
The Law Society of England and Wales, “Law Society urges China to release lawyers arrested in 'crackdown,' [112]”July 16, 2015
Statement issued by the [Hong Kong] Legal ECs in relation to the mass arrest, detention and disappearance of lawyers in China [113], July 16, 2015.
Martha Neil, “China detains or queries 100 lawyers, activists and others in sweep targeting human rights law firms [114],” American Bar Association, July 13, 2015.

Civil Society

Actions

March [115]to post office in Hong Kong to send postcards to demand release of all detained human rights defenders, August 25, 2015
China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group is currently running a postcard campaign [116]. To participate, just print out any of the postcard images below and simply mail the card to the included address.
Open letter [117] issued by Lawyers for Lawyers, Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada, Freedom House, et. al., regarding the recent arrest of a large group of human rights lawyers in China
Signature campaign [118] by Hong Kong universities' student groups condemns crackdown on Chinese lawyers and activists
Former Bar Chairmen, Legislators and EC members of Hong Kong Worldwide Signature Campaign for Human Rights Lawyers in Mainland China [119].
Taiwan lawyers’ press conference, July 20 [120], 2015. (Picture [121], Video [122])
Amnesty International Urgent Action Campaign [123].
Petition to the White House [124].
Global Solidarity for China’s Detained Human Rights Lawyers Facebook Page [125].
Taiwan lawyers’ hold press conference [126], July 13, 2015.
Hong Kong Alliance march [127], July 13, 2015.
Overseas Chinese protest outside Chinese consulate [128] in Los Angeles, July 12, 2015.
Social media campaign (artwork) [129].

Statements

Overseas Chinese organizations in the greater Washington, D.C. region, “A Letter of Protest Against China’s Arrest of Rights Lawyers, to be read at a rally in front of the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., and then formally delivered [130],” August 13, 2015.
Act Voice, Artists Action, China Labour Bulletin, et. al, Over 50 World-wide Civil Society Organizations Signed Joint Statement in Support of the Arrested Lawyers in Chin [131]a, August 13, 2015
Human Rights Watch, “China: Secretly Detained Lawyers at Risk of Torture [132],” July 20, 2015
China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group, Hong Kong Alliance, et. al., "Call for the Chinese Authorities to Abide by the Law and Observe Due Process. . . [133] " (敦促中國政府恪守依法治國承諾、尊重正當程序 [134]並呼籲國際社會繼續關注中國律師及公民遭大規模打壓事件 [134]), July 20, 2015
Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights, China Labor Bulletin, and Human Rights in China, “China: Massive crackdown of human rights lawyers continues [135],” July 16, 2015.
Amnesty International, “China: Lawyers face 15 years in jail on ‘chilling’ state security charges [136],” July 16, 2015
“Human Rights Now expresses deep concern about the series of detentions of human rights lawyers in China, and calls for their prompt release [137],” July 15, 2015
Frontline Defenders, “China: Human rights lawyers detained during crackdown [138],” July 14, 2015.
Freedom House, “China Detentions and Repatriations Violate Basic Rights [139],” July 14, 2015.
ChinaAid, “Lawyers predict 'major wave of persecution' in wake of detentions, interrogations of human rights lawyers [140],” July 14, 2015.
Taiwanese Human Rights Groups, “Joint Statement of Taiwanese Human Rights Groups Condemning the PRC government’s Large-scale Suppression of Chinese Human Rights Defenders [141]” (台灣人權團體嚴厲譴責中國政府近日大規模打壓中國人權捍衛者之行徑 [142]), July 14, 2015.
Chinese Human Rights Defenders, “China: Halt Police Operations Targeting Human Rights Lawyers as “National Security” Threat [143],” July 13, 2015.
Committee to Support Chinese Lawyers,” Sweeping Attack on Rights Defense Lawyers Threatens China's Entire Legal Profession [144],” July 13, 2015.
International Service for Human Rights, “China: Release Wang Yu and other detained and disappeared human rights defenders [145],” July 11, 2015.
Amnesty International, “China: Dozens of human rights lawyers targeted in nationwide crackdown [146],” July 11, 2015.
Citizen Initiatives for China, “A Statement of Initiatives for China / Citizen Power for China on “Black Friday for Human Rights Defenders [147]””, July 11, 2015.
Chinese Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group, “China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group Calls Urgent Attention to The Disappearance of rights lawyer Ms. Wang Yu and her family And the subsequent disappearances of her colleagues [148],” July 10, 2015.
"China Lawyers Statement Concerning Lawyer Wang Yu’ Disappearance [149]," July 10, 2015.
China Change, “Breaking: This Morning in Beijing, One lawyer Gone Missing, Another Lawyer Kidnapped, and Fengrui Law office Visited by Police [150],” July 9, 2015.

709 Crackdown Fifth Anniversary Related Essays

Chen Jiangang: The Plight of Chinese Human Rights Lawyers [151], July 6, 2020
China Human Rights Lawyers Group, Flying Against the Wind Amid a Grim Situation — China Human Rights Lawyers Group’s Statement on the 5th Anniversary of the “709” Crackdown [152], July 9, 2020
Xie Yanyi, 5 years on: I was one of China’s rights lawyers – detained, tortured but hopeful for the future [153], July 9, 2020

HRIC Statement: HRIC Urges Independent Observers at Upcoming Trials of Lawyers and Activists in China [154]

August 5, 2016

This week, Chinese authorities put on trial and convicted one rights lawyer and three activists on charges of “subversion of state power”: Zhai Yanmin (翟岩民), a law firm employee; Hu Shigen (胡石根), a democracy and religious freedom activist; Zhou Shifeng (周世鋒), a lawyer and law firm director; and Gou Hongguo (勾洪国), a rights activist. According to available official trial transcripts and media reports, all four defendants admitted guilt, expressed remorse, and accepted their trial verdicts. In addition, on August 1, Chinese authorities released a video of Wang Yu (王宇), another lawyer charged with “subversion” but recently released on bail, in which she referred to her former colleague Zhou Shifeng as not being a “qualified” lawyer,” and expressed remorse about her own “inappropriate” remarks and speaking with foreign media.

These five individuals are among the more than 300 lawyers and activists targeted in a nationwide crackdown that began in July 2015. To date, 18 others remain in police custody and have been formally arrested, five of whom are also facing “subversion” charges.

What do these events mean for Chinese civil society? How should the international community respond?

The targeting of those who are at the forefront of defending fundamental rights and promoting the growth of civil society underscores the true aim of the Communist Party of China’s policy of “ruling the country by law”—to maintain the supremacy of the CPC. Instead of safeguarding the people's rights, the current regime uses the legal system as a political instrument to undermine the very forces needed to sustain a rule of law: an independent judiciary, an independent bar, and a robust civil society. See more [154].

Courageous Voices: A Rising Activism [155]

As the crackdown on lawyers and defenders that began in July 2015 continues with prolonged incommunicado detention of individuals without trial, family members of those still detained, and of those released after suffering abuses in custody, have not stopped speaking out to demand justice. In these narratives, what we are witnessing is a rising activism among a group determined to hold the authorities accountable for unlawfully suppressing citizens who are exercising rights protected by Chinese and international law. (All text translated by Human Rights in China.)

International Community Urges China to Uphold Rule of Law

See more: Crackdown on Chinese Lawyers [11]

Professional Associations

29 Senior lawyers, judges, and jurists from many countries, "China must respect lawyers’ human rights [63]," January 23, 2017
Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe, “One year on, the CCBE denounces once again the crackdown on Chinese lawyers [185],” July 11, 2016
Law Council of Australia, “Law Council of Australia urges DFAT to redouble efforts with Chinese Government to release detained lawyers [97],” July 11, 2016
Taipei Bar Association, “Statement on Anniversary of Chinese Government’s Large-Scale Crackdown on Human Rights Lawyers (台北律师公会针对中国政府大规模逮捕维权律师周年之声明) [186],” July 9, 2016
American Bar Association, "Chinese lawyer Wang Yu to Receive Inaugural ABA International Human Rights Award [187]," July 9, 2016
Chinese Human Rights Lawyers Group, “China’s Shattered Dream for the Rule of Law, One Year On [188],” July 8, 2016
International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute, “Open letter to His Excellency Mr Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China [189],” July 8, 2016

Governments

European Union External Action, Statement by the Spokesperson on the cases of several human rights defenders in China [64], January 28, 2017
France and Germany award Wang Qiaoling, wife of human rights lawyer Li Heping, the Franco-German Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of Law [190], December 1, 2016.
U.S. Department of State, Office of Press Relations, "Sentencing of Lawyers and Rights Activists in China [191]," August 8, 2016
European Union External Action, "Statement by the Spokesperson on the conviction of Chinese lawyers and other human rights defenders on charges of state subversion [192]," August 5, 2016
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in China, "Statement on the First Anniversary of the 709-Crackdown [193]," July 9, 2016
U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Public Affairs, "Anniversary of Crackdown on Lawyers and Rights Defenders in China [194]," July 9, 2016
Congressional-Executive Commission on China, “CECC Marks One-Year Anniversary of Crackdown on Human Rights Lawyers & Recent UN Group Opinion Regarding Detained American [195],” July 9, 2016
European Union, "EU Concerns about the Human Rights situation in China [196]," May 24, 2016
EU Joint Statement at 31st Session of Human Rights Council, "Human Rights Situation that Require the Council's Attention [197]," March 15, 2016
12-Country Joint Statement at 31st Session of the Human Rights Council, “Joint Statement – Human Rights Situation in China [198],” 10 March 2016

NGOs

China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group and Taiwan Support China Human Rights Lawyers Network with co-signatories, “End Suppression of China Human Rights Lawyers: A global joint statement on the 3rd Anniversary of 709 Crackdown and China Human Rights Lawyers’ Day [199],” July 2018
China Human Rights Lawyers Group, “Statement on the 3rd Anniversary of the 709 Crackdown: The Virtue of Pines and Cypress Is To Be Known Only In Wintry Cold [200],” July 9, 2018
China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group and Taiwan Support China Human Rights Lawyers Network, with co-signatories, "Call on the Chinese Government to repeal the Convictions against Hu Shigen, Zhou Shifeng, Zhai Yuanmin and Gou Hongguo: A Statement by the Hong Kong and Taiwan NGOs [201]," August 6, 2016
China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group, with 18 Bar Associations and Lawyers Organisations, 9 Law Academics, 29 Legal Practitioners, and 5 Law Students, "An Open Letter by Legal Professionals to President Xi Jinping On the Occasion of the anniversary of the 709 Crackdown, [202]" July 9, 2016
Amnesty International, “China: End relentless repression against human rights lawyers on first anniversary of crackdown [203],” July 7, 2016

Lawyers & Activists Charged

Resources

Update Sites

Chinese Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group, “As of 19:30 14 July 2015, 159 lawyers/law firm staff/human right activists have been detained/arrested/incommunicado/summoned/ restricted freedom temporarily” (EN [204], CH [205]), July 14, 2015
Amnesty International, “China: Latest information on crackdown against lawyers and activists [206],” July 14, 2015

Reports

Committee to Support Chinese Lawyers, Plight and Prospects: The Landscape for Cause Lawyers in China [207], 2015

Analysis and Commentary

Jerome Cohen, "Lawyer-client meeting in “national security” cases in China [208],” Jerry’s Blog, February 8, 2016
Jerome Cohen, "公共律师在转型社会中的角色 (Role of public interest lawyers in transforming societies) [209],” Financial Times, February 1, 2016
Jerome Cohen, "Video talk: why lawyers are not dentists! [210],” Jerry’s Blog, January 25, 2016
Jerome Cohen, "Who gets punished?: Sons and daughters of rights lawyers - Collective punishment in China [211], Jerry’s Blog, October 20, 2015
Don Clarke, “Follow-up to post on contempt for law by lawmakers [212],” Chinese Law Prof Blog, August 7, 2015
Don Clarke, “More contempt for law from the lawmakers [213],” Chinese Law Prof Blog, August 6, 2015
Editorial, “China’s Crackdown on Lawyers [214],” The New York Times, July 30, 2015
Samuel Wade, “Lawyer Crackdown Highlights Different Visions of Rule of Law [215],” China Digital Times, July 28, 2015
Teng Biao, “China’s irrepressible lawyers [216],” The Washington Post, July 19, 2015.
Teng Biao via PRI World, “Exiled Chinese lawyer says the country is moving toward a new totalitarianism [217],” July 17, 2015.
Jiang Ping, “Public power cannot arbitrarily imprison lawyers [218]” (江平：“公权力不能动不动就抓律师” ), China Review, July 14, 2015
Zhang Qianfan, “A rule of law state must have lawyers [219]” (张千帆：“法治国家不能没有律师”), China Review, July 14, 2015
Ge Yongxi, “Q&A: Chinese lawyer speaks out on arrests [220],” Voice of America, July 14, 2015
China University of Political Science and Law, Jiang Ping; China University of Political Science and Law, Chen Guangzhong; and Beijing Normal University, Gao Mingxuan, “Three Law Experts: Safeguard Lawyers’ Rights [221]” (法学界三位泰斗：呼吁保障律师权利), July 14, 2015
Scholars, “China’s “rule by law [222]” takes an ugly turn,” Foreign Policy, July 14, 2015
Alvin Y.H. Cheung, Hong Kong lawyers must speak up for counterparts detained in the mainland [223], Hong Kong Free Press, July 14, 2015
“The Progressive Lawyers Group's Short Commentary Regarding The Recent Mass Arrests, Detention or Disappearance of Mainland Chinese Human Rights Lawyers [224]” (立即釋放內地維權律師　懇求香港律師會、大律師公會發聲), July 13, 2015
Rebel Pepper (via China Digital Time), “Drawing the News: A Lawyer’s Visit in Prison [225]” July 13, 2015.
He Weifang, “The Predicament of Chinese Lawyers and its Roots [226]” (贺卫方：中国律师的困境及其根源), January 30, 2010

HRIC

Annotated Excerpts from Hu Shigen and Zhou Shifeng's Trial Transcripts [227], August 11, 2016
HRIC Urges Independent Observers at Upcoming Trials of Lawyers and Activists in China [154], August 5, 2016
Independence of Lawyers: The Role of Justice Bureaus and Lawyers’ Associations [228], May 5, 2014
Post Reeducation-Through-Labor “Abolition”: Lawyers and Defenders Monitor Legal Reform Implementation--The Jiansanjiang Case [229], April 28, 2014
Lawyers Protest Persecution on Unprecedented Scale [230], December 16, 2013
Xu Zhiyong’s Lawyer Accuses Police and Detention Center of Rights Violations [231], July 22, 2013
Guangxi Rights Defense Lawyer Detained for “Witness Tampering [232],” June 16, 2011
Beijing Judicial Bureau Revokes Licenses of Two Rights Defense Lawyers [233], May 7, 2010
Jerome A. Cohen, The Struggle for Autonomy of Beijing’s Public Interest Lawyers [234], China Rights Forum, April 1, 2009
“Rule of Law? [235],” China Rights Forum, April 2008
“Lawyers are Dismissed by Firms for Supporting Beijing Lawyers Association Direct Election, Law Firms are Threatened [236],” October 31, 2008
Chinese Authorities Abuse Licensing System to Harass Rights Defenders [237], June 2, 2008

Relevant Legal Resources:

UN Committee Against Torture, “List of issues in relation to the fifth periodic report of China,” 2015: EN [238]
UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers (1990): EN [239], CH [240]
Draft Criminal Law Amendment (9) (2015): CH [241], EN [242]
Criminal Procedure Law: CH [243]

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