CNHRA EVENT RECORD · CNHRA-E-723999
Huang Qi: Detention in 2016, Twelve-Year Sentence and Later Concerns about Visits and Health
Date
2016-11
Location
Mianyang and Bazhong, Sichuan, China
Event Type
Detention · Trial · Sentencing
Human Rights Issues
Freedom of the Press · Freedom of Expression · Right to a Fair Trial · Right to Health
Record ID
CNHRA-E-723999
Summary
Description
Huang disappeared from contact on November 28, 2016, and the family received formal-arrest notice on December 16. HRW recorded restrictions on counsel’s access to files and family and lawyer advocacy concerning health and treatment. A closed trial followed in Mianyang in January 2019.[5][2]
HRW reported publication on July 29, 2019, of a twelve-year sentence for deliberately leaking state secrets and illegally providing state secrets abroad. China’s 2025 reply records its confirmation by Sichuan High Court on December 13, 2019, with four years’ deprivation of political rights and confiscation of 20,000 yuan. Special Procedures sought information about access and medical care.[2][3][4]
On April 23, 2018, the Working Group adopted Opinion No. 22/2018, finding the examined detention arbitrary under categories II and III. It called for immediate release, compensation and an independent investigation. The opinion preceded the 2019 sentencing.[6]
Developments
Again disappears from contact and is detained
HRW’s contemporaneous account records Huang missing from November 28.[5]
Family receives formal arrest notice
HRW’s update records receipt of a formal arrest notice concerning state secrets provided abroad and detention in Mianyang City Detention Center.[5]
Working Group adopts opinion
Opinion No. 22/2018 finds categories II and III arbitrary detention and calls for release and remedies.[6]
Reported secret trial
HRW reports a secret trial in Mianyang, Sichuan.[2]
Reported court announcement of 12-year sentence
Human Rights Watch reports that the court website announced Huang’s twelve-year sentence on state-secrets charges.[2]
Appeal upheld according to China’s reply
China’s reply states that Sichuan High Court upheld twelve years, four years’ deprivation of political rights and confiscation of 20,000 yuan.[3]
UN seeks information on care and visits
Special Procedures ask China about reported prolonged lack of visits and health concerns, including medical and investigative measures.[4]
Related People
Organizations
No organizations have been added.
Documents
Sources
- [1]
CNHRA-S-532776Human Rights Watch
Evidence location: Opening paragraphs: Chengdu sentence on 23 November 2009 and earthquake-school investigations.
- [2]
CNHRA-S-452090Human Rights Watch
Evidence location: Opening sentencing paragraph and paragraphs on Huang’s background and closed trial in January 2019.
- [3]
CNHRA-S-188382Government of China / United Nations
Evidence location: PDF cover dated 29 April 2025; sections I.A, I.B, I.D and III.
- [4]
CNHRA-S-721486UN Special Procedures
Evidence location: PDF pp. 1–5; sections on Ding Jiaxi, Gao Zhisheng, Huang Qi and Ilham Tohti; questions to the government.
- [5]
CNHRA-S-737363Human Rights Watch
Evidence location: Body and subsequent updates: Jiang missing on November 21, Huang on November 28; family notices in December.
- [6]
CNHRA-S-376480UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention
Evidence location: Paragraphs 4–5 on the website; 68–72 disposition; adopted April 23, 2018.