European lawyers call for release of China's human rights defenders

The Federation of European Bar Associations (FBE) has expressed grave concerns over lawyers that have been detained and threatened by the Chinese state.

In July, approximately 225 lawyers, staff, human rights defenders, and their family members were arrested in China. Approximately 30 are either still detained or missing.

In the days following the arrests, the incarcerated lawyers were denounced in state media as a 'criminal gang'.

One high-profile arrestee was Wang Yu of law firm Fengrui, who disappeared after sending friends a text message saying her internet connection and electricity had been cut off and that people were trying to break into her home.

Wang was held on suspicion of inciting subversion after taking on a case involving sexual assault at a school in Wannying City. She was one of six lawyers at the firm to be detained by the Chinese authorities.

The FBE has since written to China's president, Xi Jinping, calling for the release of those in detention and raising concerns as to how the arrests were carried out. The group claimed the Chinese authorities ignored legal procedure and gave no reasons as to why the arrests were made.

In addition, the FBE says the arrests were in violation of international human rights standards such as the right to a fair trial, freedom of expression, and to safeguards for those representing accused people.

Nazario Oleaga, a Spanish lawyer and FBE president, said: 'The international legal community cannot stand by while their colleagues in China, together with their families, staff, and other human rights defenders are harassed simply for doing their work, defending human rights, and providing access to justice.

'The Federation calls on president Xi Jinping to show respect for the standards of international law and for the immediate release of those detained.'

Ahead of a five-day state visit, the Chinese ambassador to the UK suggested his president would not respond well if he was reprimanded over alleged human rights abuses.

During his tour of the UK, however, Xi Jinping admitted that his country had 'room for improvement' on the subject of its human rights record.

The state visit resulted in protests in London aimed at drawing attention to the situation in China.

Tiananmen Square survivor Dr Shao Jiang, an outspoken critic of Xi Jinping's regime, called on the UK government to criticise China's human rights violations.

Jiang told IBTimes UK that David Cameron should speak out or the UK government would 'damage their human rights standards and undermine democracy'.

The Chinese democracy activist was later arrested by UK police at his family home after standing in the road and holding up protest banners.

John van der Luit-Drummond is deputy editor for Solicitors Journal
john.vanderluit@solicitorsjournal.co.uk | @JvdLD