CNHRA EVENT RECORD · CNHRA-E-053530
Jiang Tianyong: Detention, Two-Year Sentence and Sentence Completion
Date
2016-11
Location
Changsha, Hunan, China
Event Type
Detention · Trial · Sentencing · Release
Human Rights Issues
Freedom of Expression · Right to a Fair Trial
Record ID
CNHRA-E-053530
Summary
Description
After Jiang disappeared from contact on November 21, 2016, his family sought help from police in several locations. On December 23 they received notice of residential surveillance at a designated location. A Changsha court tried him on August 22, 2017, with government-appointed counsel; family-appointed lawyers had lacked normal access.[4][2]
On November 21, 2017, Changsha Intermediate People’s Court sentenced him to two years for inciting subversion. Amnesty questioned the confession and trial process; a 2018 Working Group opinion found the detention under review arbitrary. China’s reply records sentence completion on February 28, 2019.[1][2][3]
Front Line Defenders recounts Jiang’s 2014 investigation of an unofficial detention facility in Heilongjiang. In May 2016 he participated in a relay hunger strike supporting Guo Feixiong and a campaign for medical examination, continuing his support for detainees and families after losing his legal practice license.[5]
Jiang’s attempt to renew his passport in May 2023 was reportedly refused. The Secretary-General’s 2024 report also recounts continuing surveillance; China replied that July that he was not subject to judicial coercive measures.[6]
Developments
Campaigns for medical care for Guo Feixiong
He joined a relay hunger strike and calls for a medical examination of the imprisoned Guo Feixiong.[5]
Loses contact after visiting Xie Yang’s family
HRW records his disappearance from contact while returning from Changsha and relatives’ attempts to report it to police in Changsha, Beijing and Henan.[4]
Family receives RSDL notice
HRW’s update records a Changsha police notice concerning inciting subversion and residential surveillance at a designated location, without disclosure of the location.[4]
Lawyer denied access
Paragraph 18 records Changsha police refusing the defense lawyer’s visit request.[2]
Formally arrested
Paragraph 20 records formal arrest on subversion-related charges after incommunicado detention.[2]
Indicted
Paragraph 21 records indictment by Changsha prosecutors in July on an inciting-subversion charge.[2]
Trial in Changsha
The opinion records representation at trial by government-appointed lawyers after family-retained counsel had been unable to obtain regular access.[2]
Two-year sentence
Amnesty reported that day that Jiang had been sentenced to two years for inciting subversion of state power.[1]
UN opinion on the examined detention
Opinion No. 62/2018 found the examined detention of Jiang and others arbitrary under categories I, II and III and called for release and remedies.[2]
Sentence completion recorded in China’s reply
China’s public reply to the UN records release on completion of sentence that day.[3]
Reported refusal to renew passport
The Secretary-General’s 2024 report records a reported refusal to renew Jiang’s passport in May 2023 and continuing surveillance. In July 2024, China replied that he was not subject to judicial coercive measures.[6]
Related People
Organizations
No organizations have been added.
Documents
Sources
- [1]
CNHRA-S-882512Amnesty International
Evidence location: Opening paragraphs and Changsha Intermediate People’s Court passage: November 2017 sentence and 2016 detention.
- [2]
CNHRA-S-434619UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention
Evidence location: Facts concerning Wang and Jiang; paragraphs 82–85; adoption on 24 August 2018.
- [3]
CNHRA-S-310280Government of China / United Nations
Evidence location: Jiang Tianyong passage: sentence on 21 November 2017 and release on 28 February 2019; indexed text.
- [4]
CNHRA-S-737363Human Rights Watch
Evidence location: Body and subsequent updates: Jiang missing on November 21, Huang on November 28; family notices in December.
- [5]
CNHRA-S-768097Front Line Defenders
Evidence location: Background: 2014 Heilongjiang investigation and 2016 medical advocacy for Guo Feixiong.
- [6]
CNHRA-S-271786United Nations
Evidence location: Annex II, paragraphs 60–63 and 69–70, printed pages 46–49; reported restrictions and government replies.