Li Qiaochu, one of China's best-known dissidents, sentenced to three years and eight months in prison
Jailed in 2021, she was convicted of “inciting to subversion of state power". Her real offence was speaking out against the arrest of her partner, Xu Zhiyong (who had accused Chinese President Xi Jinping of poorly managing the pandemic) and fought for the rights of migrant workers.
Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) – A court in Shandong imposed a sentence of three years and eight months on Li Qiaochu for inciting subversion of state power.
In prison since 2021, the Chinese human rights activist was convicted in fact for her stance regarding the arrest of Xu Zhiyong, a fellow human rights activist and member of the New Citizens’ Movement, who is serving a 14-year sentence.
Over the years, Li has fought for women's and workers' rights. In 2017, during a major action to evict low-income workers, she engaged in an information campaign aimed at supporting the most affected communities.
She also took part in several national campaigns of the #MeToo movement.
Following the arrest of her partner, Xu Zhiyong, jailed in 2020 on charges of subversion for criticising President Xi for mishandling the pandemic, Li helped Xu post articles online, sharing information on X (former Twitter) about his precarious conditions behind bars.
As a result of her activism, she was arrested on 14 March 2021 on charges of inciting subversion.
Her detention has not been easy. She has not been allowed to see her parents, despite numerous requests from her relatives and lawyers, and was denied regular consultations with her lawyer, who was able to see her only seven months after her incarceration.
According to the Free Li Qiaochu website, she was diagnosed with depression before her arrest and needs to receive long-term therapy, but in prison she has received poor medical treatment and inadequate medication. This has led her to gain abnormal weight and have irregular menstruation and auditory hallucinations.
Li's state also raises questions about the treatment of women human rights activists, which, according to a report by the Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD), has worsened over the past decade, suggesting real gender-based violence by China’s judicial system.
On International Human Rights Day, a European delegation visiting China issued a statement calling for the immediate release of several activists, including Li.
In addition to three years and eight months, Li Qiaochu's sentence includes the loss of her political rights for two years, as well as the right to publish.
She is scheduled to be released from prison in August 2024, but she has announced that she intends to appeal her conviction.
Photo: PEN America/Wikipedia
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25/06/2020 13:22
