The reported sentencing of citizen journalist and former lawyer Zhang Zhan to another four years in prison in China on the vague charge of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” has drawn sharp international concern. This marks the second time Zhang has been convicted and jailed under the same offence, which critics say is routinely used to silence dissent.
Although the exact details of the latest case remain undisclosed, the charge is believed to stem from Zhang’s social media activity. Independent observers were barred from attending her trial, raising serious doubts about the fairness of the proceedings.
The UN Human Rights Office has repeatedly raised concerns over the treatment of Zhang and others—journalists, bloggers, and human rights defenders—who face criminal charges for what appears to be the peaceful exercise of fundamental rights protected under international law.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has again urged China to repeal the “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” provision, warning that its overly broad wording allows it to be applied against those exercising freedoms of expression and association. He called for an immediate moratorium on the use of this offence and for Zhang Zhan’s unconditional release.
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