Responding to news that Chinese artist Gao Zhen has been convicted of the offence of “slandering China’s heroes and martyrs” and sentenced to three years in prison, Amnesty International’s China Director Sarah Brooks said:
“The lengthy pre-trial detention and, ultimately, decision to convict Gao Zhen and sentence him to the maximum three-year prison term under this offence illustrate the authorities’ determination to deter others from engaging in independent artistic expression.
“No artist should face criminal punishment for creating work that challenges official narratives or encourages critical reflection on history.
“This trial demonstrates how broadly worded and politically motivated laws are used – and worse, in this case, used retroactively – to silence artists, activists and other individuals who dare to express views that differ from those of the Chinese government.”
The repressive outreach of the authorities has extended beyond Gao Zhen himself. His wife and child have not been accused of any crime, yet they have reportedly been subject to harassment and intimidation and have been unable to leave China since his detention.
Brooks added, “The retaliation against Gao Zhen’s family members is a deeply troubling tactic and amounts to a form of collective punishment.
“Gao Zhen’s conviction should be overturned, all charges against him should be dropped, and he should be released immediately and unconditionally. Harassment and threats against Gao Zhen’s family must end, and his wife and child should be allowed to leave the country freely.
“The Chinese authorities must repeal the law on heroes and martyrs unless they can ensure that it is in line with international human rights standards, and must cease criminalizing peaceful expression and artistic creation.”
Background
Chinese artist and US permanent resident Gao Zhen was detained in August 2024 on suspicion of the offence of “infringing upon the reputation and honour of heroes and martyrs”. Th
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