Rep. Schiff Statement for Upcoming Birthday of Ding Jiaxi, Chinese Civil Rights Advocate Wrongfully Imprisoned by the CCP

Washington, D.C.- Today, Representative Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), former chair of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement for the birthday of Ding Jiaxi, a Chinese civil rights advocate who has been wrongly imprisoned by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for five years. Schiff is a Member on the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission and serves as an advocate for Ding Jiaxi under the Commission's Defending Freedoms Project.

"On August 17, Ding Jiaxi will celebrate his birthday. Once again, he will be alone in a prison in Hubei Province in China. He will be separated from his loved ones - his wife and children. He will mark the passing of yet another birthday in isolation - his fifth in prison. The Chinese Communist Party is punishing him for his willingness to speak on behalf of others and defend human rights. The alleged crime of "subversion of state power" is a fabrication by Chinese authorities meant to deny freedom to the Chinese people. Rather than being upheld as a model citizen, willing to devote himself to promote democracy and civil rights, China's judicial system sentenced Ding to 12 years in prison.

"On the occasion of another birthday in prison, I join his wife, Sophie Luo, and freedom loving people around the world in once again calling for his release. He is an inspiration to all of us and a reminder that in China, people continue to face the consequences of a repressive and dictatorial regime. The Chinese government must release Ding Jiaxi and allow him to reunite with his family and enjoy the freedom that was so capriciously taken away."

Schiff has been a long-time advocate for people across the world who are facing political persecution. He introduced a resolution that condemned the Article 23 legislation in Hong Kong, laws that restrict basic freedoms. Schiff introduced a resolution calling on Azerbaijan to immediately release all prisoners of war (POWs) and civilians currently detained in the years-long attack on Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Artsakh. Schiff has also continued efforts to bolster the prosecution and oversight of transnational repression, which are efforts by foreign governments to harass, intimidate, or harm individuals beyond their own borders, including in the United States, in order to silence or coerce persons who oppose or are critical of a government.

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