US calls for immediate release of women’s rights activists imprisoned in China

The United States condemns the unjust sentencing of independent journalist and women’s rights activist Huang Xueqin (Sophia Huang), as well as labor rights activist Wang Jianbing, and urges Beijing to immediately release both activists.

These sentences reflect China’s “continued efforts to intimidate and silence civil society.”

“We urge the PRC to immediately release Huang and Wang, as well as any other individuals who have been unjustly detained for exercising their fundamental freedoms,” US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

The Chinese government sentenced Huang to five years and Wang to three years and six months in prison after lengthy pre-trial detention and a secret trial closed to journalists and the public.

Furthermore, the US State Department urged China to uphold its promise to respect human rights, including freedom of expression and a fair trial.

“We call on the PRC to fulfil its international commitments and respect the human rights of all individuals, including guarantees of freedom of expression and a fair trial,” the statement said.

“We also urge the PRC to accept the many recommendations made during the Universal Periodic Review of its human rights record this year,” the statement added.

Huang created a social media platform for victims to report sexual harassment during the height of China’s #MeToo movement. She shared surveys that said sexual harassment was a concern at universities and in the workplace, Voice of America reported.

he/she was arrested in 2019 for participating in protests in Hong Kong.

According to Voice of America, Wang has been an advocate for workers’ rights and people with disabilities since 2014.

According to the online support group Free Huang Xueqin and Wang Jianbing, Huang plans to appeal the sentence.