International Community Condemns Torture of Chinese Lawyer Zhang Wenpeng

Strategic Insights -

The international community has rallied around the case of Chinese lawyer Zhang Wenpeng, who has been reportedly tortured while in detention in China. Zhang Wenpeng has been detained since September 2024 on charges of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble," which his supporters claim is a pretext for silencing him due to his opposition to the government-controlled All China Lawyers Association (ACLA). Despite passing the Chinese bar exam in 2016, Zhang Wenpeng has been denied a licence to practice law, leading him to work as a legal intern and advocate for human rights and corruption concerns with the Chinese authorities.

Zhang Wenpeng's reports of torture while in detention, including being shackled with heavy chains for seven consecutive days and nights in December 2024, have been ignored or inadequately addressed by prison staff and authorities. His case has raised serious concerns under international human rights law, including the right not to be subjected to torture or ill-treatment, arbitrary detention, and the right to a fair trial.

Key Takeaways:

  • Zhang Wenpeng, a Chinese lawyer, has been reportedly tortured while in detention, including being shackled with heavy chains for seven consecutive days and nights in December 2024.
  • Zhang Wenpeng has been detained since September 2024 on charges of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble," which his supporters claim is a pretext for silencing him due to his opposition to the government-controlled All China Lawyers Association (ACLA).
  • Zhang Wenpeng passed the Chinese bar exam in 2016 but has been denied a licence to practice law, leading him to work as a legal intern and advocate for human rights and corruption concerns with the Chinese authorities.
  • The international community, including the Law Society of England and Wales, Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada, Lawyers for Lawyers, International Bar Association Human Rights Institute, Asian Lawyers Network, The Rights Practice, and the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE), has condemned Zhang Wenpeng's torture and detention.
  • Zhang Wenpeng's case raises serious concerns under international human rights law, including the right not to be subjected to torture or ill-treatment, arbitrary detention, and the right to a fair trial.
  • The Law Society of England and Wales, Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada, Lawyers for Lawyers, International Bar Association Human Rights Institute, Asian Lawyers Network, The Rights Practice, and the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) have issued a joint statement calling on China's authorities to ensure Zhang Wenpeng's unconditional release, drop the criminal charges, and reverse all administrative measures against him.
  • The organizations have also called for an independent investigation into Zhang Wenpeng's allegations of torture and ill-treatment, ensuring accountability and compliance with international standards.

Statistics:

  • Zhang Wenpeng has been detained since September 2024.
  • Zhang Wenpeng was formally indicted on July 14, 2025.
  • Zhang Wenpeng has been held at the Sanya No.2 Detention Centre in Hainan Province since his detention.
  • Zhang Wenpeng has reportedly been shackled with heavy chains for seven consecutive days and nights in December 2024.
  • The number of days Zhang Wenpeng has been detained: 108 days (as of October 30, 2025).

Sources:

  • Lawyers for Lawyers
  • Law Society of England and Wales
  • Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada
  • International Bar Association Human Rights Institute
  • Asian Lawyers Network
  • The Rights Practice
  • Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE)