Lawyer Jiang Tianyong Receives 2022 International Bar Association Human Rights Award

Strategic Insights -

Lawyer Jiang Tianyong, a prominent human rights advocate in China, has received the 2022 International Bar Association (IBA) Award for Outstanding Contribution to Human Rights. This recognition comes after Jiang's decade-long dedication to defending Chinese dissidents, activists, and marginalized communities, despite facing intense persecution and harassment from the Chinese government. His work has been marked by exceptional bravery and resilience, often in the face of extreme adversity. The award is a testament to Jiang's unwavering commitment to upholding human rights and the rule of law in China.

Key Takeaways:

  • Lawyer Jiang Tianyong has been awarded the 2022 International Bar Association Human Rights Award for his extraordinary dedication to human rights in China.
  • Over the past decade, Jiang has represented Chinese dissidents, activists, victims of HIV contamination, Falun Gong practitioners, and those facing discrimination due to health status, gender, or age.
  • Despite facing intense persecution and harassment, Jiang has continued to practice law as a citizen advocate, representing clients in sensitive cases and advocating for human rights.
  • Jiang's license to practice law was suspended in 2009 for taking on too many "sensitive" cases, and he was detained and subjected to torture in 2011 and 2016.
  • He has been under house arrest since February 2019 and remains under close surveillance, barred from leaving China to reunite with his wife and daughter.
  • The International Bar Association presents an award to an outstanding lawyer in the world of human rights law each year, honoring a legal practitioner who has made a remarkable contribution to the promotion, protection, and advancement of human rights.
  • The IBA Human Rights Law Committee and Section on Public and Professional Interest (SPPI) breakfast honored Jiang Tianyong with the award, with IBA President Sternford Moyo congratulating him and expressing hope that he will continue to inspire others to promote and protect human rights.

Statistics:

  • Jiang Tianyong has spent over 10 years defending human rights in China, representing clients in sensitive cases and advocating for human rights.
  • He has been persecuted by the Chinese government, facing harassment, torture, detention, and house arrest.
  • Jiang's license to practice law was suspended in 2009 for taking on too many "sensitive" cases.
  • He has been detained twice, in 2011 and 2016, and sentenced to two years in prison in 2016.
  • Jiang has been under house arrest since February 2019 and remains under close surveillance.

Sources:

  • "International Bar Association news release on Nov. 4, 2022".
  • IBA Human Rights Law Committee and Section on Public and Professional Interest (SPPI) breakfast.
  • The International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI).
  • The International Bar Association (IBA).
  • Yaxue Cao, Founder and Editor of human rights organisation China Change.
  • Alexa Koenig, JD and Melinda Taylor, Co-Chairs of the IBA Human Rights Law Committee.