The plight of Bao Zhuoxuan, the 16-year old son of human rights lawyer Wang Yu and legal activist Bao Longjun, shows China doing its utmost to pressure human rights defenders by targeting entire households with punitive measures.
This statement was originally published on freedomhouse.org on 15 October 2015.
In response to Chinese authorities on October 6,2015 detaining Bao Zhuoxuan, the 16-year old son of human rights lawyer Wang Yu and legal activist Bao Longjun, and reports that he is under house arrest, Freedom House issued the following statement:
“The plight of Bao Zhuoxuan shows China doing its utmost to pressure human rights defenders by targeting entire households with punitive measures,” said Mark P. Lagon, president. “China is further punishing the already jailed parents of a teenager, who himself is subject to constant monitoring by the state. We are deeply concerned that he now faces house arrest in Ulanhot, Inner Mongolia, though he has not been charged or convicted of any offense.”
Background:
Bao Zhuoxuan is the son of Wang Yu and Bao Longjun, who have been jailed since July 2015, have been denied access to lawyers, and face charges of “inciting subversion of state power.” He was denied the opportunity to study outside China, when the government prevented his departure at the Beijing airport on July 9, 2015.
China is rated Not Free in Freedom in the World 2015, Not Free in Freedom of the Press 2015, Not Free in Freedom on the Net 2014.
