CNHRA PERSON RECORD · CNHRA-P-061222
Hu Shigen
Born
Unknown
Occupation
Unknown
Role
Political Activist · Dissident
Record ID
CNHRA-P-061222
Biography
Hu worked in education and later participated in democratic organizing, civic activity and house churches.[1]
Hu studied literature at Peking University and taught at the Beijing Language Institute. After 1989 he engaged in democratic and independent-labor organizing. CHRD records detention in 1992, a twenty-year sentence in 1994 and release in 2008 after sixteen years.[1]
The profile identifies Hu’s participation in the China Free Democratic Party and China Free Labor Union.[1]
It also describes Hu’s rights discussions and church involvement after his 2008 release, and further short detentions including over June Fourth discussions.[1]
CHRD cites a June 2015 interview in which Hu said the Yahebo church had faced continuing police pressure for two years, with weekly gatherings disrupted and activities stopped. The profile also records his participation after release in 2008 in Beijing house churches, including Sheng Ai Fellowship and Yahebo Covenant Church, alongside discussions of human rights, democracy and the rule of law.[1]
Case Summary
CHRD records Hu’s July 10, 2015 custody, delayed family notification and efforts to locate him. Formal arrest followed in January 2016 and a seven-and-a-half-year sentence at Tianjin No. 2 Intermediate Court on August 3.[1]
The organization criticized restrictions on counsel, secret custody and trial transparency. The official conviction was for subversion of state power.[1]
The updated profile records Hu’s release after completion of his term on March 23, 2023.[1]
Timeline
1994
Sentenced in an earlier organizing case
CHRD records detention in 1992 over organizing and June Fourth leaflets, a twenty-year sentence in 1994 and release in 2008 after about sixteen years.[1]
2015-07-10
Taken into custody during the 709 crackdown
Hu was taken away during the 709 crackdown. The case profile describes delayed family notification and efforts by relatives and counsel to locate him.[1]
2016-08-03
Sentenced to seven and a half years
Tianjin No. 2 Intermediate Court imposed seven and a half years for subversion after 2015 custody and formal arrest in 2016. CHRD disputes defense access and transparency.[1]
2023-03-23
Released after completing sentence
The profile’s update records actual release at the end of the term.[1]
Related Events
Sources
- [1]
CNHRA-S-949836Chinese Human Rights Defenders
Evidence location: Case table and background: organizing, 2015 detention, 2016 sentence and March 23, 2023 release; Background on house churches and the interview dated June 2015.