Huang Xueqin, a prominent independent journalist and a key figure in China’s #MeToo movement, has been sentenced to five years in prison for “inciting subversion of state power.” The Guangzhou Intermediate People’s Court delivered the verdict on Friday, according to her supporters. Labor activist Wang Jianbin, another defendant in the case, received a sentence of three and a half years.
Arrest and Charges
Huang, 36, and Wang, 40, were detained in September 2021 in Guangzhou and have been held for nearly three years. Their trial, conducted behind closed doors, took place in September last year. Huang has announced her intention to appeal the verdict, while it remains unclear if Wang will also appeal.
Huang’s Role in the #MeToo Movement
Huang previously worked as an investigative reporter for liberal-leaning media outlets before transitioning to independent journalism. She played a crucial role in launching China’s #MeToo movement in 2018 by supporting a graduate student who accused her PhD supervisor of sexual harassment. Huang used her influential social media presence to amplify this case, marking a significant moment in the country’s #MeToo campaign.
In addition to sharing her own experiences of sexual harassment, Huang conducted a survey in 2018 that revealed 84% of 416 female journalists had experienced sexual harassment at work. She emphasized the reluctance of victims to report such incidents due to the associated shame.
Arrest and Community Impact
Huang and Wang were arrested a day before Huang was scheduled to fly to the UK for a master’s degree program at the University of Sussex. Following their detention, over 70 friends and supporters were summoned for police questioning, and some were coerced into signing fabricated testimonies against the pair.
The charges against Huang and Wang have not been detailed by authorities, but supporters suggest their arrests may be linked to informal gatherings at Wang’s apartment, where friends discussed public affairs and social issues, played board games, and went hiking. These gatherings have since been disbanded, leaving the community fractured.
Health and Human Rights Concerns
Huang has experienced significant health issues during her detention, including severe weight loss and cessation of menstruation. Amnesty International condemned the convictions, highlighting their impact on human rights and social advocacy in China.
“These malicious and totally groundless convictions show just how terrified the Chinese government is of the emerging wave of activists who dare to speak out to protect the rights of others,” Amnesty International stated.
Huang Xueqin and Wang Jianbin’s convictions are seen as part of a broader crackdown on civil society and activism in China. As the ruling Communist Party continues to suppress dissent, the impact on communities advocating for human rights, feminism, and other social issues remains profound.
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Written By Doris Chinwe Omemgbeoji