26 December 2018
“The trial of Chinese human rights lawyer Wang Quanzhang It is a cruel farce and Wang must be immediately and unconditionally released.”, Amnesty International has declared.
Wang is one of the few lawyers who follow detained after the wave of massive repression launched by the Chinese government in 2015 of which they were victims 250 legal professionals and activists. This accused of “subversion of state power”, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, before the Intermediate People's Court Number 2 de Tianjin.
“This is a judicial farce in which Wang Quanzhang is persecuted just for peacefully defending human rights”, said Doriane Lau, China researcher at Amnesty International.
"Wang Quanzhang He has been unjustly detained for more than three years., during which his family has suffered the anguish of not knowing if he was alive until recently. He must be released immediately and unconditionally.”
Police arrested Wang on 3 August 2015. Until July 2018 his family did not know, through a trusted lawyer, who was alive and imprisoned in Tianjin.
A lawyer hired by his family was finally able to meet with Wang Quanzhang at the detention center on 12 July 2018. It was the first time in his entire time in detention that Wang was able to see a lawyer of his choice.. The lawyer said that, when he visited, Wang Quanzhang looked very scared. He is feared to have suffered torture and other ill-treatment in custody.
"Wang Quanzhang He was missing in a black hole for three years, during which only the Chinese authorities knew their fate. No legal safeguards, such as regular access to your lawyer and family, “remains at serious risk of torture and other ill-treatment”, said Doriane Lau.
According to reports, other legal professionals detained in the wave of repression of 2015 and later released have reported that they were subjected to beatings and forced to stand until 15 hours at a time and taking medication.
Before being arrested, Wang Quanzhang worked on issues considered sensitive by the Chinese government, such as the defense of religious freedom and the representation of members of the New Citizens Movement, grassroots activism network that promotes transparency in government and exposes corruption.
Due to his role in defending these cases, Wang had frequently suffered incidents of intimidation before his arrest.
That Wenzu, Wang's wife, She campaigns tirelessly for her husband's safe return home.. Since he was arrested, suffers constant harassment and surveillance.
