By Kristy Tridhavee
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Asia

BEIJING, China – Chinese prosecutors have decided to try Hu Jia, a prominent dissident, on subversion charges. Also, Chinese authorities have recently released Teng Biao, a human rights lawyer, after detaining him for two days.

Hu Jia is an advocate for AIDS sufferers and Tibetan-autonomy. Hu Jia was detained in early December for “inciting subversion of state power.” Hu Jia was under house arrest prior to his December-arrest for nearly a year. He chronicled his experience in essays on the internet and videos. He also often spoke with foreign reporters.

Many local and international groups have called for his release; however, prosecutors said they had accepted the police’s case and would bring him to court. Subversion charges are typical for dissidents that are heavily critical of the Communist party, and a conviction may lead to several years in prison.

Teng Biao is a human rights lawyer and part-time professor. A few days ago, he was detained by Chinese authorities while on his way home to his family. Witnesses said he was dragged into a car with two men in the parking lot of his apartment building.

Forty-one hours after his detainment, Teng Biao was released. In statements, he reported that he was not physically harmed but was intensively questioned at an unknown location. He also stated that he was sternly warned about recent internet articles he authored. However, Teng Biao refused to discuss the incident further because officers had cautioned him against speaking out.

In an essay Hu Jia and Ten Biao together wrote an essay denouncing the Communist ruling party. The two dissidents wrote: “Is China improving its human rights record? When you come to the Olympic Games in Beijing, you will see skyscrapers, spacious streets, modern stadiums and enthusiastic people. Please be aware that the Olympic Games will be held in a country where there are no elections, no freedom of religion, no independent courts, no independent trade unions; where demonstrations and strikes are prohibited.”

For more information, please see

Impunity Watch – BRIEF: Chinese Human Rights Lawyer Reported Missing – 7 March 2008

The Jurist – China Rights Activist to Stand Trial on Subversion Charges – 8 March 2008

NY Times – Chinese Lawyer Says He Was Detained and Warned on Activism – 9 March 2008

Reuters – China Dissident Hu Jia to Stand Trial: Lawyer – 8 March 2008