Lawyers continue to face systemic persecution for defending human rights in China, the Law Society of England and Wales warned.
The Law Society has raised its concerns with the United Nations (UN) as part of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).
Lawyers continue to face systemic persecution for defending #HumanRights in China.
We tell @lawsocgazette that the Chinese govt continues to target the profession and erode #AccessToJustice, as we submit a Universal Periodic Review report to the UN.https://t.co/hY9PnoB50A pic.twitter.com/ZAEouCf3KF
— The Law Society (@TheLawSociety) July 20, 2023
The continuing erosion of judicial independence and the independence of the legal profession in China remains a worry.
Lawyer #HaoJingsong was sentenced to 9 years yesterday (8 years on the charge of "fraud" and 1 year and 9 months on the charge of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble" for a combined sentence of 9 years).
Hao Jingsong had been in pretrial detention for 3 years and 7 months. https://t.co/qVCknN98Hq
— CHRD????? (@CHRDnet) July 20, 2023
Lawyers have been subject to harassment, surveillance, politically motivated prosecutions, unfair trials, arbitrary deprivation of liberty, enforced disappearances and torture – largely due to the types of cases and clients they represent.
Hong Kong barrister #MargaretNg, along with pro-democracy activists, faced trial for organising an "unauthorised assembly." Her lifelong beliefs led her to leave academia and become a columnist, critic, journalist, barrister, legislator, and, eventually, a defendant. pic.twitter.com/54wjUYVx9C
— The 29 Principles (@the29principles) July 20, 2023
According to the Law Society, when lawyers find themselves detained, they are denied access to effective legal assistance, leaving them vulnerable to human rights abuses.
Many lawyers are suspended or disbarred with little justification and pressured to demonstrate their political allegiance to the ruling party.
The Chinese authorities’ intimidation tactics have a chilling effect on human rights and the rule of law. It fosters a climate of fear and insecurity for lawyers carrying out crucial work to speak out against the severe abuse of state powers taking place throughout the country.
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