Chinese citizen journalist Zhang Zhan, seen here on a poster held by a pro-democracy activist in the Hong Kong on Dec. 28, 2020, has been sentenced to another four years in prison. Photo by Miguel Candela/EPA
A Chinese court has handed COVID-19 whistleblower Zhang Zhan an another four-year prison sentence, according to the United Nations.
Zhang, 42, a former lawyer-turned-Chinese citizen journalist, made international headlines in December of 2020 when she was found guilty of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” and sentenced to four years in prison.
The charges stemmed from her reporting on social media about China’s handling of the coronavirus during the early days of the outbreak in Wuhan, ground zero of the COVID-19 pandemic.
She was released from prison in May 2024, but was detained again in August.
U.N. Human Rights Office spokesperson Jeremy Laurence said in a statement Sunday that Zhang has again been convicted of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” and sentenced to another four years behind bars.
Details of the charges have not been made public. Her trial reportedly took place Friday.
Laurence said they have “concerns” over the conduct of Zhang’s trial as independent observers were barred from the hearing, while stating the charge she was convicted under was “vague and ill-defined.”
Volker Turk, U.N. Human Rights commissioner, has repeatedly expressed his “serious concerns” over Chinese authorities using this offense “given its broad wording and the wide scope of its potential application to those exercising their rights, including freedom of expression and association,” Laurence said, adding that Turk is calling for its repeal and an immediate moratorium on its use.
Aleksandra Bielakowska, advocacy manager with Reporters Without Borders, said in a social media statement that she is “shocked and outraged” over Zhang’s “baseless” sentence.
“She should be honored as an ‘information hero,’ not locked in brutal prison conditions,” Bielakowska said. “The world must keep pressing Beijing for her immediate release.”
Bielakowska said the reason for Zhang’ re-arrest in August was for covering human rights abuses in China.
“Diplomats were barred from her trial, with all details concealed. Her persecution must end,” she said in a second statement.
Anitta Hipper, lead spokesperson for European Union foreign affairs and security policy, said the 27-member bloc “deplores” Zhang’s verdict.
“We call for her immediate and unconditional release and urge China to uphold freedom of expression and guarantee due process,” Hipper said in a statement.
“We also call on China to provide reliable information about her health condition.”
