Press Releases

11/27/2018

Taiwanese human rights activist Li Ming-che arbitrarily sentenced one year ago

Li Ming-che must be released (Press Release)

On November 28, 2017, the Taiwanese human rights activist Li Ming-che had been sentenced to five years in prison based on charges of "undermining state power". Since then, Chinese authorities deny his wife's request to visit him. Image: Voice of America (Voa) via Wikimedia Commons CC-PD

On the occasion of the anniversary of the arbitrary verdict against the Taiwanese human rights activist Li Ming-che, the Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) demanded China to release him from prison. On November 28, 2017, the 43-year-old had been sentenced to five years in prison based on charges of "undermining state power". His case has gotten worldwide attention because his arrest is widely seen as an attempt to intimidate foreign human rights advocates. The verdict had disturbed the relations between Taiwan and the People's Republic of China.

"Li Ming-che must be released! His only crime was to support the Chinese people in their hopes for more democracy and a rule of law in China by peacefully advocating for a multiparty system in the People's Republic. These activities are protected by international human rights conventions," stated Ulrich Delius, the STP's director, in Göttingen on Tuesday. The human rights advocate appealed to the Chinese authorities to at least allow Li Ming-che's wife to visit him. On November 9, 2018, the authorities had denied her request to be able to visit her husband.

Many Taiwanese and foreign human rights activists are now very anxious because of the arrest and the arbitrary sentencing of Li Ming-che. The human rights activist has been in Chinese custody since March 19, 2017. Before being arrested, he had discussed Taiwan's experiences with the democratization process with Chinese friends via social media.

His conviction was based on an alleged confession, which, according to Li Ming-che himself, had been extorted. Nevertheless, the defendant decided not to file an appeal against the controversial court verdict.

Header image: Voice of America (VOA) via Wikimedia Commons