China: #MeToo and labour rights activists’ ‘malicious’ guilty pleas reflect growing fear of dissent in Beijing
Following the news that Chinese #MeToo activist Sophia Huang Xueqin and workers’ rights activist Wang Jianbing have been sentenced to five years and three years and six months in prison respectively for “inciting subversion of state power”, Sarah Brookes, director of Amnesty International’s China team said:
“Tomorrow marks exactly one thousand days since Sophia Huang Xueqin and Wang Jianbing were arrested. “These sentences will prolong their highly unjust imprisonment and have a chilling impact on human rights and advocacy work in a country where activists face escalating state repression.”
“In reality, they have committed no crime. Rather, the Chinese government has used their work as a threat and has oppressed them for trying to educate themselves and teach about social justice issues such as women’s dignity and labor rights.
“#MeToo activism has empowered survivors of sexual violence around the world, but, in this case, Chinese authorities want to do exactly the opposite by ending it.”
“These malicious and completely baseless slanders show just how fearful the Chinese government is of the new wave of activists who are speaking out for the rights of other people.”
“Sophia Huang Xueqin and Wang Jianbing have been detained simply for exercising their right to freedom of expression and should be released immediately and unconditionally.”
Additional Information
The Guangzhou Intermediate Court today sentenced Sophia Huang Xueqin and workers’ rights activist Wang Jianbing to five years and three years and six months in prison respectively for “inciting subversion of state power.” Sophia Huang Xueqin said in court that she would appeal.
Sophia Huang Xueqin is a journalist who has participated in several #MeToo campaigns to provide support and assistance to survivors of sexual harassment and sexual assault. Wang Jianbing has provided legal advice to people with disabilities and workers suffering from occupational diseases. She is also a major supporter of the #MeToo movement in China.
His guilty plea relates to his attendance at weekly meetings organised by Wang Jianbing with other activists; his participation in online human rights education and internet publications on issues the Chinese government deems “sensitive”.
The couple was detained in Guangzhou on September 19, 2021, the day Huang was due to leave China for the United Kingdom to study for a master’s degree.
Since their arrest, the two have not been allowed to meet their families. Meanwhile, police have summoned dozens of her friends, whose homes they have searched and whose electronic devices they have seized. Sophie Huang Xueqin is believed to have been subjected to abuse in custody, resulting in a significant deterioration in her health.
In January 2023, Sophia Huang Xueqin and Wang Jianbing were transferred to Guangzhou No.1 Detention Center, awaiting trial in court.
Chinese authorities systematically use national security charges with very vague provisions such as “subverting state power” and “inciting subversion of state power” to prosecute activists, intellectuals, journalists, legal professionals, and NGO personnel, among others.
The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention determined in 2022 that Wang Jianbing was arbitrarily detained and has repeatedly called on China to repeal the crime of “incitement to subversion” or bring it into line with international standards.