CNHRA PERSON RECORD · CNHRA-P-561556
Hu Jia
Born
Unknown
Occupation
Unknown
Role
Human Rights Defender · Public Commentator
Record ID
CNHRA-P-561556
Visual Records
Hu Jia being interviewed by Voice of America.
Biography
Hu Jia worked on environmental, HIV/AIDS and human rights issues and became an outspoken critic of repression.[1]
The European Parliament’s profile records Hu’s environmental and HIV/AIDS advocacy and calls for investigation and compensation over June Fourth.[1]
Parliament records Hu’s 2007 telephone briefing to its human-rights subcommittee and his call to make the Beijing Olympic year a year of human rights in China. Unable to attend the 2008 Sakharov ceremony, he was represented by Zeng Jinyan’s video address. In a July 2012 letter to Parliament’s president, he said the award encouraged him and improved his prison treatment. The profile also records his criticism of restrictions on lawyer access and mass surveillance.[1]
Case Summary
The Parliament records arrest on December 27, 2007 and a three-and-a-half-year inciting-subversion sentence on April 3, 2008, plus one year’s deprivation of political rights.[1]
The Parliament reports pressure on Hu and his parents to refuse the prize.[1]
CECC records release on June 26, 2011 and relays family reports of surveillance and restrictions around his home.[2]
Timeline
2007-12-27
Detained
Parliament records Hu’s arrest on this date. He had worked on environmental and HIV/AIDS issues, called for an investigation of June Fourth, and briefed Parliament representatives on human rights by telephone in 2007.[1]
2008-04-03
Sentenced to three and a half years
Hu received three and a half years for inciting subversion and one year’s deprivation of political rights. The Parliament links the case to peaceful advocacy.[1]
2008
Awarded the Sakharov Prize
The Parliament awarded Hu the Sakharov Prize; Zeng Jinyan represented him by video. His 2012 letter said the award encouraged him and improved prison treatment.[1]
2011-06-26
Released on sentence completion
Hu Jia was released on completion of his sentence. CECC’s July account cites relatives and contemporaneous reporting.[2]
Related Events
Sources
- [1]
CNHRA-S-162881European Parliament
Evidence location: Laureate profile: advocacy, 2007 detention, 2008 sentence and 2011 release; The 2007 telephone briefing, 2008 award, July 2012 letter, lawyer access and surveillance passages.
- [2]
CNHRA-S-619079CECC
Evidence location: Body: June 26, 2011 release, advocacy and family reports of continuing restrictions.
- [3]
CNHRA-S-259872Wikimedia Commons
Evidence location: Photograph, subject description, author and licensing section.