US Condemns China's Harsh Sentences for Human Rights Activists

The United States has expressed deep disappointment and concern over the long prison sentences handed down to three prominent Chinese human rights activists. The activists, Qin Yongmin, Xu Wenli, and Wang Youcai, were allegedly involved in efforts to form a new political party and were sentenced to 12, 13, and 11 years in prison, respectively, for subversion and threatening state security. The harsh sentences come despite China's recent signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its plans to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which require Beijing to protect political expression and peaceful association.

Key Takeaways:

• The US condemned the sentencing of Qin Yongmin, Xu Wenli, and Wang Youcai, calling it a "backsliding" on China's improved human rights performance.
• The three activists were accused of subversion and threatening state security for their involvement in forming a new political party.
• The prison terms handed down were 12, 13, and 11 years for Qin, Xu, and Wang, respectively.
• This marks the longest prison term for a Chinese dissident in three years for Xu, who was previously imprisoned for 12 years for his involvement in the Democracy Wall movement.
• Wang, a student leader in the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, was also sentenced to 11 years for his involvement in the opposition group.
• China's crackdown on the opposition has resurfaced in recent months, despite its signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
• The US will continue to speak out about serious human rights abuses in China and make strengthening human rights in China a key element of its policy.

Statistics:

• 12 years: The prison term handed down to Qin Yongmin for subversion and threatening state security.
• 13 years: The prison term handed down to Xu Wenli for subversion and threatening state security, the longest for a Chinese dissident in three years.
• 11 years: The prison term handed down to Wang Youcai for subversion and threatening state security.
• 3 years: The length of time since a Chinese dissident was handed a prison term as long as 13 years.
• 12 years: The length of time Xu Wenli previously served in prison for his involvement in the Democracy Wall movement.
• May: The month in which President Clinton arrived in China for a state visit, coinciding with the application to register the opposition party.
• 1989: The year of the Tiananmen Square protests, in which Wang Youcai was a student leader.

Sources:

• The New York Times
• Reuters wire service report
• State Department spokesman James Foley