Last year in September, prominent human rights lawyer Lu Siwei, who was deported from Laos to China, was forcibly detained by the Chengdu Public Security Bureau on October 10th. It was reported that he is facing harsh conditions in prison with extremely poor food and forced labor, making his situation difficult. Los Angeles Chinese community members gathered in front of the Chinese consulate last Sunday (20th) to protest and demand the release of Lu Siwei.
Lu Siwei’s wife, Zhang Chunxiao, shared his recent situation during the gathering through an audio message. She mentioned that the detention cell where Lu Siwei is held was originally meant for 20 people but is now holding 27 individuals. At night, he can only sleep on his side as he cannot fully stretch out, and the food provided is very inadequate.
“Lu Siwei risked leaving the country just to reunite with his separated family. He has been under illegal surveillance for four years, and the authorities continue to refuse his departure,” Zhang Chunxiao said. “According to Article 322 of the Criminal Law, his actions do not constitute a crime.”
Protesters displayed banners and signs at the scene with slogans in both Chinese and English, including “For the one who holds the firewood, do not let him freeze to death in the wind and snow,” “Release Lu Siwei,” and “End the CCP.”
In 2021, the Sichuan Provincial Department of Justice revoked Lu Siwei’s lawyer’s license, citing his legal assistance to a Hong Kong democracy protester detained in Shenzhen in 2020. As a result, his whole family has been closely monitored by the Chinese authorities. In 2022, his wife Zhang Chunxiao and daughter arrived in the United States. That same year, Lu Siwei was arrested and deported from Laos to Thailand, where he was put under residential surveillance pending trial.
The persecution faced by Lu Siwei from the Chinese Communist Party has angered overseas Chinese communities. Recently, law student Yan Shuangmiao, who came to the U.S., expressed during the gathering that the Chinese Communist Party requires the law to obey the party, making the survival space for domestic lawyers very narrow. Only a few lawyers, like Lu Siwei, dare to stand up for justice on behalf of the people.
Yan Shuangmiao stated that Lu Siwei’s courageous actions in such a challenging environment in China are “highly admirable.” She believes that everyone has the right to express opinions, and lawyers hold the right to handle cases. The CCP’s treatment of Lu Siwei goes against the fundamental provisions of the Criminal Law.
Considering the numerous Chinese human rights lawyers who have been arrested and even long-term imprisoned, the attendees are concerned that Lu Siwei may face an unfair trial. They view the CCP’s suppression of Lu Siwei as part of its systematic crackdown on human rights lawyers and activists, rather than an isolated case.
The participants collectively sent dozens of postcards to Lu Siwei. Jie Lijian, Vice Chairman of the China Democracy Party Headquarters, expressed hope that these postcards would convey their care for lawyer Lu Siwei, stating, “I hope these postcards can bring a ray of light to Lu Siwei in the darkness.”
The event’s host, Li Wentao, also read out a protest letter addressed to the Chinese consulate, demanding the immediate release of Lu Siwei. The letter emphasized that Lu Siwei’s desire to reunite with his wife and daughter is a common human sentiment. The authorities’ failure to correct their violations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and remove their illegal control over him, and instead planning to charge him upon his forced departure at the end of his bail period, is described as a despicable act by the Chengdu government and police.
Over the years, Lu Siwei has represented numerous sensitive cases in China, including cases involving lawyer Yu Wensheng, Tan Yongpei, Chen Jiahong, and dissident writer Wang Zang. In 2017, he initiated a citizens’ signature campaign, calling for the establishment of a special investigation committee by the National People’s Congress of the CCP. In 2019, he was prohibited from leaving the country after attending a gathering of human rights activists and lawyers.