Seven Beijing residents who were involved in the establishment of the Beijing branch of the China Democratic Party were secretly sentenced by the Chinese authorities last month. The news of their sentencing has sparked anger and condemnation from overseas advocates for justice who denounce the authorities for violating basic human rights.
On March 30th, the authorities conducted a closed-door trial and sentenced the seven individuals involved in party-building to three to seven years in prison, including a pregnant woman. The individuals were arrested in January, and news of their trial only emerged half a month later.
“After 26 years, the CCP’s authoritarian nature remains unchanged,” said Zheng Cunzhu, Chairman of the China Democratic Party Headquarters, in an interview on Monday (20th). He noted that the CCP is always wary of dissidents, especially those involved in party-building, fearing that they will challenge the dictatorship in the name of opposition.
Twenty-six years ago in 1998, another individual involved in the establishment of the Beijing branch of the China Democratic Party, Xu Wenli, was also sentenced. Xu and his lawyer pleaded not guilty at the time, arguing that China has signed international conventions implying the freedom to form political parties, and Chinese law does not explicitly prohibit party-building. However, the authorities still sentenced Xu to 13 years for “subverting state power.”
Last Sunday (19th), around 70-80 members of the China Democratic Party Headquarters gathered outside the Chinese consulate in Los Angeles to protest. Members of the China Democratic Party from the UK and Canada also held simultaneous protests in solidarity.
Liao Jun, Vice Chairman of the China Democratic Party Headquarters Western USA Branch, stated during the Los Angeles rally that the trial exposed the CCP’s fear of dissent, freedom, and awakened people. He described it as a blatant provocation against universal human values and a violation of the right to freedom of speech and association guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 35 of the Chinese Constitution.
One attendee, Zhou Lanying, expressed her indignation and sorrow upon hearing the news, emphasizing that freedom of speech and association are fundamental human rights clearly stated in the Chinese Constitution. She criticized the authorities for their double standards, which she believes reveal their apprehension towards civil society.
Christian believer Liao Xiaobin remarked, “The systemic corruption of the CCP is deeply rooted over the years.” He emphasized that both Chinese religious followers and democratic advocates are persecuted due to the authoritarian rule of the CCP. He asserted that the Communist Party must step down, not as the beginning of social turmoil but as a return to the rule of law in China.
The initiative of the Beijing Seven to promote freedom, democracy, and the rule of law in China became the basis for the authorities’ sentencing. Liu Yinquan, the chairman of the China Social Democracy Party, stated in an interview at the gathering that the CCP’s use of the charge of “incitement” was utterly nonsensical, as they did not call for the overthrow or downfall of the Communist Party of China.
He pointed out that within six months of the establishment of the China Social Democracy Party in 1991, all members were sentenced. Wang Xiaoning, Chairman of the Beijing branch of the party, was sentenced to 10 years in 2003 simply for writing a few articles published overseas, on charges of subversion.
“The Communist Party is too brutal and lacks humanity,” Liu Yinquan exclaimed, emphasizing that there is no space given by the CCP for peaceful and non-violent activities in public.
The CCP’s consistent practice of holding secret trials for party-building individuals and intimidating their families often leads to delays of several months or even years before the outside world becomes aware of the trial outcomes.
Zheng Cunzhu cited examples, such as the sentencing of six members of the China Democratic Victory Party in April 2024, the news of which emerged over a year later. He also mentioned the case of Shanghai elementary school teacher Huang Xiaoqin, who joined the China Democratic Party while traveling abroad and was sentenced to five years upon his return to China in 2002, with the public only learning about it after his release.
“Secret trials are conducted in many counties and cities in Wuhan, Hunan, and elsewhere, but due to government suppression, we still cannot obtain accurate information,” Zheng Cunzhu added, stating that under the intense control of the CCP, ordinary people are becoming more aware of their right to form political parties.
“I believe that as the truth about the crimes of the Communist Party spreads, more people will awaken and participate in the establishment of opposition parties,” he said. Zheng also advised party-building individuals in the country to protect their identities and themselves as much as possible. ◇