China opposes UN experts’ call for release of jailed activist

UN human rights experts expressed concern about Yang Maodong, a jailed rights activist whose health is reportedly “deteriorating” after a hunger strike, and urged Chinese authorities to release him.

China, on Thursday, voiced its resolute opposition to a call by UN human rights experts to release a Chinese jailed activist, describing it is “gross interference” in its domestic affairs and judicial sovereignty. UN human rights experts expressed concern about Yang Maodong, a jailed rights activist whose health is reportedly “deteriorating” after a hunger strike, and urged Chinese authorities to release him, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

“This is gross interference in China’s domestic affairs and judicial sovereignty and China is resolutely opposed to it,” foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said in a statement. She said the comments from the UN human rights experts are irresponsible and based on false information, and called on them to do objective and fair work and have constructive dialogue with all countries.

“Yang’s health condition is normal and his legitimate rights are guaranteed, based on information from relevant departments,” Hua said. Yang was sentenced to six years in prison by a court in southern China in November last during a crackdown on human rights advocates.