Guangxi [China], November 6 (HBTV): Human rights lawyer Qin Yongpei has been released after serving a five-year sentence and has returned to his home in Nanning, Guangxi Province, an autonomous region in China. His release on October 31 concluded a conviction that human rights advocates view as a targeted response to his legal work defending human rights in China.

In a post on X, the advocacy group Front Line Defenders stated, "On 31 October, human rights lawyer Qin Yongpei completed a five-year sentence, was released from prison, and returned to his home in Nanning, Guangxi Province. Qin Yongpei is a renowned human rights lawyer, and we believe his imprisonment was a retaliation against his peaceful and legitimate human rights work."

The case underscores the dangers faced by human rights defenders in China, where freedom of speech and political expression remain heavily restricted.

Qin Yongpei’s legal troubles began in 2019 when he was arrested on charges of "inciting subversion of state power" due to his outspoken criticism of the Chinese government. Initially managed by the Nanning Municipal Public Security Bureau, his case was later transferred to the Nanning Municipal People's Procuratorate in 2020 for further review before moving to the Nanning Intermediate People's Court. His lawyer, Li Guisheng, was reportedly barred from meeting him during this period due to COVID-19 restrictions.

On March 31, 2023, the Nanning Intermediate Court officially charged Qin with "inciting subversion of state power" and sentenced him to five years in prison. Although his legal team appealed to the Higher People's Court of Guangxi Province, the Intermediate Court's conviction was upheld.

Front Line Defenders expressed relief at Qin's release but emphasized the broader concerns for activists in China, stating, "While we are glad to hear of his release, human rights defenders in China must be free to carry out their crucial work without fear of reprisals." Qin’s case has become emblematic of the risks faced by those challenging state authority and advocating for human rights in China.

Qin’s release closes a chapter in a case that has drawn international attention to the state of civil liberties in China and the ongoing challenges faced by its human rights advocates.   

(ANI)