Human Rights Lawyers Wang Yu and Jiang Tianyong Detained, Wang Yu on Hunger Strike Protest

On October 30, 2024, Chinese human rights lawyers Wang Yu and Jiang Tianyong were administratively detained by the public security bureau of Wei County in Hebei Province for providing legal assistance in a particular case. Wang Yu is currently on a hunger strike in protest and has accused police officer Cao Ran from the Weicheng Town police station of being rough with him. On October 29, Chinese human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng and his wife Xu Yan were sentenced to imprisonment.

On October 23, Liu Meixiang, a salesperson of Beijing Ping An Insurance Company, stood trial in the Wei County Court in Hebei Province on charges of corruption. On that day, the designated defense counsel and family members of Liu Meixiang, including Bao Longjun, were denied entry to the court.

Four lawyers including Wang Yu and Jiang Tianyong were arrested for supporting Liu Meixiang’s case, with Han Yajun being released while Wang Yu, Jiang Tianyong, and Qiu Bin were administratively detained for nine and eight days respectively.

Two days later, their proxy lawyers Peng Peng, Duan Hanjie, and Shi Yushang attempted to meet with the individuals at the Wei County detention center, but were refused access as the detention center required permission from the handling unit to allow the meeting.

The lawyers believe that this action violates Article 26 of the Detention Center Regulations. They subsequently filed a complaint with the Wei County Public Security Bureau, but received no effective response.

Radio Free Asia reported that on October 29, a lawyer who wished to remain anonymous for personal safety reasons stated that a family member of one of the parties involved saw a tense situation outside the court. When the police saw them taking photos, five to six officers grabbed them. During the struggle, lawyer Jiang Tianyong was caught up in the chaos and was subjected to eight days of administrative detention without using force. Wang Yu accused the police of illegal enforcement, leading to her being taken to a studio where she was physically assaulted and forcibly pushed. Wang Yu was verbally abused and labeled a hooligan, resulting in her being detained for nine days. Wang Yu is currently on a hunger strike inside the detention facility.

Bao Longjun, Wang Yu’s husband, stated that after coordination with the police on October 26, Wang Yu, Jiang Tianyong, and Qiu Bin were able to meet with their proxy lawyers and family members at the police station. Lawyer Peng Peng confirmed that Wang Yu was on a hunger strike in protest and had injured her left arm due to violent enforcement during detention. Peng said, “We saw Wang Yu. She is on a hunger strike, and the authorities claim she disrupted the work order of the Weicheng Town police station. In fact, Wang Yu did not disturb the order; she was sitting outside when the police force of five people brought them to the Weicheng Town police station. Suddenly, dozens of police officers forcefully restrained Wang Yu, pushing and shoving her into a cage, even tearing off her top.”

Despite multiple attempts to contact the Wei County Public Security Bureau and the Weicheng Town police station in Hebei province, calls remained unanswered.

Bao Longjun alleged that Wang Yu accused Officer Cao Ran of twisting her arm during transportation and subjecting her to improper treatment. Wang Yu also revealed the harsh conditions inside the detention center, where access to drinking water was limited, further exacerbating her physical burden. Proxy lawyer Duan Hanjie, after meeting with Jiang Tianyong, also reported low-quality meals in the detention center, consisting of small amounts of plain porridge and salted vegetables daily.

Furthermore, the lawyer group’s requests for meetings were repeatedly denied, and with the Wei County detention center imposing restrictions, the lawyer group plans to file further complaints.

On October 29, the Suzhou Intermediate Court sentenced Chinese human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng and his wife Xu Yan to imprisonment.

Yu Wensheng and Xu Yan were detained by the Chinese Communist Party police in April 2023 while en route to meet with European officials visiting China. They were subsequently charged with “provoking trouble” and “inciting subversion of state power,” both of which are widely regarded as pocket crimes targeting rights defenders.

Yu Wensheng was sentenced to three years in prison, expected to be released on April 12, 2026. Xu Yan, who has been detained for over 18 months, may be released in January next year. This marks Yu Wensheng’s second official imprisonment.

Despite efforts by the European Union and the UN Human Rights Council to draw attention to the case and urge their immediate and unconditional release, the Chinese Communist Party still handed down this judgment.

Wang Songlian, Deputy Director of Human Rights Watch China, told Radio Free Asia that under the high-pressure rule of the Chinese Communist Party, the situation for rights defenders is getting worse, with longer sentences being imposed. The Yu couple should not be sentenced for exercising basic human rights, and “their sentences are already too long.” She called for their immediate release on social media.