Last Updated:
Zhang Zhan is charged under the offence of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble”, a broad and ambiguous law the CCP often invokes against political critics and journalists
An activist holds placards with a picture of Chinese citizen journalist Zhang Zhan. (AP File)
Chinese citizen journalist Zhang Zhan, who earlier reported from Wuhan during the coronavirus outbreak, has now been imprisoned for four more years on charges of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble”.
Zhang Zhan was previously jailed for her reporting during the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan. The precise details of Zhang’s new charge have not been made public, but it is believed to be linked to her social media activity, as per the UNHR office statement.
Recommended Stories
The United Nations Human Rights (UNHR) office has termed these charges as “vague and ill-defined” and demanded the immediate release of the journalist. UN spokesperson Jeremy Laurence described the latest conviction as “deeply disturbing” and called for her “immediate and unconditional release”, ANI reported.
The charges against Zhang Zhan
Zhang is charged under the offence of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble”, a broad and ambiguous law the CCP often invokes against political critics and journalists. International observers view her prosecution as a direct test of China’s treatment of dissenters.
Zhang Zhan’s trial
According to The Epoch Times, the hearing at the Pudong New Area People’s Court was held under tight security. Authorities deployed police to cordon off the area, preventing ordinary citizens from entering or showing support. Foreign diplomats from several Western nations were also barred, with officials citing “incomplete paperwork” as justification. Rights groups described the restrictions as yet another sign of Beijing’s disregard for openness and judicial fairness.
The UN has also raised concerns regarding the conduct of trial has no independent observers were allowed to attend the meeting. Independent observers were not allowed to attend her hearing, which has raised concerns about the fairness of the trial, ANI reported.
What UN said
“This is the second time Zhang has been convicted and subjected to a custodial sentence for this offence,” Laurence said. “We have raised our concerns with the authorities on a number of cases involving journalists, bloggers and human rights defenders, including Zhang, who have been charged over and/or convicted for criminal acts in relation to what appears to be the exercise of their fundamental rights, protected by international law.”
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has also repeatedly raised objections to China’s use of the “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” charge.
According to the UN rights office, Turk has warned that the law’s broad wording gives it a “wide scope of potential application” against people exercising their rights to freedom of expression and association.
“He (Volker Turk) calls for its repeal and for an immediate moratorium on its use,” the statement said.
With ANI Inputs
About the Author
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
September 22, 2025, 17:51 IST
Loading comments…
Read More
