The Law Society of Upper Canada recently expressed "grave concerns about the harassment of lawyers" in four Asian countries urging that the states of China, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia comply with Articles 16 and 23 of the United Nations' Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers. For the sake of brevity and clarity I will quote directly from the Law Society's publications with respect to China. The expressions of "grave concern" are substantially of the same nature and quality with respect to the other countries and lawyers. Interested readers can visit the Law Society website directly for the full publications involving the other lawyers and countries.
China:
The Law Society of Upper Canada expresses grave concerns about the harassment of human rights lawyer Zhang Kai in China.
Zhang Kai is a prominent Beijing human rights lawyer. On 25 August 2015, Zhang Kai was arrested in Wenzhous, Zheijiang Province, while advising a congregation faced with orders to remove the cross from their church. The arrest occured just hours before Zhang Kai was due to meet an American State Department official to discuss religious freedom in China.
After his arrest, Zhang Kai was placed under residential surveillance in an undisclosed location with an order to detain him for up to six months. Zhang Kai was not heard from again until 25 February 2016 when he appeared on state television in a taped confession. In the video, Zhang Kai expressed remorse and admitted to conspiring with foreign groups in order to stir up religious unrest in China. He also claimed to have received payment from China Aid to defend churches and other Christian organizations.
After the broadcast, Zhang Kai was charged with "endangering state secrets" and "gathering a crown to disturb public order"; thereafter, Zhang Kai was transferred from residential surveillance to criminal detention. His parents were informed of the transfer on 28 February 2016.
On 23 March 2016, Zhang Kai posted on WeChat and Weibo saying that he had been "safely returned to his hometown in Inner Mongolia." His comments on social media do not provide reasons for his sudden release.
The Law Society of Upper Canada urges the government of China to comply with Articles 16 and 23 of the United Nations' Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers.
Article 16 states:
Governments shall ensure that lawyers (a) are able to perform all of their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference; (b) are able to travel and to consult with their clients freely both within their own country and abroad; and (c) shall not suffer, or be threatened with, prosecution or administrative, economic or other sanctions for any action taken in accordance with recognized professional duties, standards and ethics.
Moreover, Article 23 states:
Lawyers like other citizens are entitled to freedom of expression, belief, association and assembly. In particular, they shall have the right to take part in public discussion of matters concerning the law, the administration of justice and the promotion of human rights and to join or form local, national or international organizations and attend their meetings, without suffering professional restrictions by reason of their lawful action or their membership in a lawful organization.
The Law Society urges the government of China to:
a. Put an end to all acts of harassment against Zhang Kai as well as other human rights lawyers and defendants in China:
b. Guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological safety and integrity of Zhang Kai;
c. Guarantee all the procedural rights that should be accorded to Zhang Kai; and
d. Ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human rights standards and international instruments.
For more information, please contact Susan Tonkin, Communications Advisor - Media Relations, at 416 947-7605 or stonkin@lsuc.on.ca
China:
The Law Society of Upper Canada expresses grave concerns about the harassment of human rights lawyer Zhang Kai in China.
Zhang Kai is a prominent Beijing human rights lawyer. On 25 August 2015, Zhang Kai was arrested in Wenzhous, Zheijiang Province, while advising a congregation faced with orders to remove the cross from their church. The arrest occured just hours before Zhang Kai was due to meet an American State Department official to discuss religious freedom in China.
After his arrest, Zhang Kai was placed under residential surveillance in an undisclosed location with an order to detain him for up to six months. Zhang Kai was not heard from again until 25 February 2016 when he appeared on state television in a taped confession. In the video, Zhang Kai expressed remorse and admitted to conspiring with foreign groups in order to stir up religious unrest in China. He also claimed to have received payment from China Aid to defend churches and other Christian organizations.
After the broadcast, Zhang Kai was charged with "endangering state secrets" and "gathering a crown to disturb public order"; thereafter, Zhang Kai was transferred from residential surveillance to criminal detention. His parents were informed of the transfer on 28 February 2016.
On 23 March 2016, Zhang Kai posted on WeChat and Weibo saying that he had been "safely returned to his hometown in Inner Mongolia." His comments on social media do not provide reasons for his sudden release.
The Law Society of Upper Canada urges the government of China to comply with Articles 16 and 23 of the United Nations' Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers.
Article 16 states:
Governments shall ensure that lawyers (a) are able to perform all of their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference; (b) are able to travel and to consult with their clients freely both within their own country and abroad; and (c) shall not suffer, or be threatened with, prosecution or administrative, economic or other sanctions for any action taken in accordance with recognized professional duties, standards and ethics.
Moreover, Article 23 states:
Lawyers like other citizens are entitled to freedom of expression, belief, association and assembly. In particular, they shall have the right to take part in public discussion of matters concerning the law, the administration of justice and the promotion of human rights and to join or form local, national or international organizations and attend their meetings, without suffering professional restrictions by reason of their lawful action or their membership in a lawful organization.
The Law Society urges the government of China to:
a. Put an end to all acts of harassment against Zhang Kai as well as other human rights lawyers and defendants in China:
b. Guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological safety and integrity of Zhang Kai;
c. Guarantee all the procedural rights that should be accorded to Zhang Kai; and
d. Ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human rights standards and international instruments.
For more information, please contact Susan Tonkin, Communications Advisor - Media Relations, at 416 947-7605 or stonkin@lsuc.on.ca
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