35 Years of Fighting for Freedom: Chinese Human Rights Defenders Demand Release of All Prisoners of Conscience and Recognition of Tiananmen Square Massacre Memories

For 35 years, Chinese Human Rights Defenders has been advocating for the release of all prisoners of conscience and for the memories of June 4, 1989 to be recognized. This call comes on the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre, where dissidents were brutally suppressed by the Chinese government.

The organization has compiled a list of 27 individuals who are still imprisoned for their activism. These names include Zhou Guoqiang, Guo Feixiong, Chen Shuqing, Lu Gengsong, Xia Lin, Zhao Haitong, Xu Na, Chen Yunfei, Xu Guang, Huang Xiaomin, Cao Peizhi, Zhang Zhongshun, Wang Yifei and Shi Tingfual among others. These individuals have faced persecution for their peaceful pro-democracy activities.

In addition to these activists is a list of individuals who have fought to preserve the memory of the Tiananmen massacre both in mainland China and in Hong Kong. This includes Tong Hao, Lee Cheuk-yan Albert Chow Hang-tung and Jimmy Lai. Notably on this list are three witnesses to the events in Tiananmen Square who died in prison over the past 35 years: Liu Xiaobo Yang Tongyan Li Wangyang. Their tragic deaths serve as a reminder of the consequences of advocating for democracy in China.

As we remember these cases and honor those who have fought against oppression in China it is crucial that we speak out against ongoing persecution and demand immediate release without conditions for all prisoners of conscience held by the Chinese government.