New York, March 25 (NationPress) The advocacy organization Human Rights Watch (HRW), based in the United States, has urged the Chinese government to promptly reverse the conviction of renowned human rights attorney Xie Yang and release him without conditions, citing significant procedural breaches and years of oppression.

As reported by this leading rights organization, a Chinese court sentenced Xie Yang to five years in prison on March 23 for charges deemed “politically motivated” related to “inciting subversion of state power.”

“The actions of the Chinese government against Xie Yang and the severe sentence imposed by the court demonstrate Beijing’s complete disregard for the rule of law. This case not only seeks to punish a courageous human rights lawyer but also aims to intimidate other attorneys who strive to protect the rights of the Chinese populace,” stated Maya Wang, Deputy Asia Director at HRW.

His ex-wife, Chen Guiqiu, noted that the judicial process against the human rights advocate was riddled with serious due process violations.

HRW pointed out that the Chinese authorities extended Xie’s pretrial detention 13 times over more than four years, preventing his lawyers from attending his hearings.

The organization emphasized that Xie’s trial infringed upon his right to a fair trial by an independent and impartial court, as stipulated under international human rights legislation.

Highlighting that Xie Yang, 54, hails from Hunan province and began his legal career in 2011, HRW noted that he has advocated for activists and victims of rights violations in sensitive cases, including those involving religious persecution and land rights issues.

HRW indicated that Xie has faced ongoing reprisals due to his efforts.

“In July 2015, during the nationwide crackdown on human rights lawyers known as the '709 crackdown,' Xie was tortured, forcibly disappeared, convicted of 'inciting subversion,' and imprisoned until 2017,” the report further elaborated.

In January 2022, Xie Yang was taken into custody again after advocating for the release of a young educator who had been involuntarily committed to a psychiatric institution for criticizing educational censorship.

According to US-based Chinese human rights advocates, police raided Xie’s residence, tortured him while in custody, and charged him with “inciting subversion” and “creating disturbances.”

“It is crucial for foreign governments to continue advocating for human rights lawyers like Xie Yang, as this support is vital in such dire situations. International advocacy could enhance Xie’s treatment and, significantly, empower him and others in China to endure,” Wang emphasized.