On the Sentencing of Human Rights Defenders Yu Wensheng and Xu Yan

The United States condemns the People's Republic of China's (PRC) unjust imprisonment of human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng and his wife, Xu Yan. On October 29, PRC courts sentenced Yu Wensheng to three years in prison and Xu Yan to one year and nine months in prison for allegedly "inciting subversion of state power." These sentences demonstrate the PRC's continuing efforts to silence those who speak out for human rights and the rule of law. During Yu and Xu's trials, authorities barred the attendance of diplomats from several foreign missions, including those from the United States, undermining transparency that is critical to ensuring respect for Yu and Xu's right to a fair trial.

We call on the PRC to immediately and unconditionally release Yu Wensheng and Xu Yan. We also reiterate our request for the PRC to release all those unjustly detained or imprisoned. The United States continues to stand with those who bravely fight for human rights in the PRC and around the world.