In China, despite government efforts to suppress information on human rights cases, wives of dissidents arrested in April are raising global awareness. The Voice of America (VOA) reports that these women, including Luo Shengchun, wife of human rights lawyer Ding Jiaxi, emphasize the importance of sharing their family members’ stories to garner international attention.
Luo, living in the US, has spent the last four years advocating for her detained husband and others. Christmas has become a challenging time for her since 2019 when Ding was arrested in a crackdown targeting dissidents. Rather than celebrating, Luo focuses on advocacy, finding solace in work to ease her mind.
Ding and Chinese dissident Xu Zhiyong were part of the New Citizens’ Movement, advocating for human rights and transparency. Their private gathering in Xiamen in December 2019 led to arrests, with Ding and Xu sentenced to over 10 years in prison for subversion of state power in April 2023. Li Qiaochu’s secret trial was suspended.
During detention, Ding and Xu were denied meetings with lawyers, tortured, and kept in solitary detention. Despite appeals, the Shandong Provincial High Court upheld the decision. Luo accuses authorities of withholding the verdict, highlighting the lack of regard for the law.
Analysts suggest China’s government is trying to bury these cases, indicating a disregard for the rule of law. Patrick Poon notes that the delayed judicial process aims to prevent public attention. Despite her engineering job, Luo testifies before the US Congress and speaks globally to counter China’s authoritarian rule.
Luo believes the Xiamen gathering led her to this path. Other dissidents’ wives share similar experiences, becoming accidental human rights defenders. Chen Zijuan, wife of detained lawyer Chang Wei-ping, went into exile with her son in the US, realizing the true nature of China’s government persecution.
Chen hopes more wives join advocacy efforts, while Luo vows to keep speaking for all “prisoners of conscience” in China. She receives support from friends, emphasizing the importance of ensuring detainees emerge alive from prison.
Comments