CNHRA PERSON RECORD · CNHRA-P-334188
Xu Yan
Born
Unknown
Occupation
Human rights advocate
Role
Human Rights Defender
Record ID
CNHRA-P-334188
Biography
Xu Yan is a human rights advocate and the wife of lawyer Yu Wensheng. During his detention, she sought legal assistance and visits, made information public and maintained contact with legal organizations and diplomats.[1][2]
Xu’s public advocacy and family life have included work on her husband’s defense, imprisonment and visits. Legal organizations describe long journeys for visits when Yu was later imprisoned in Zhenjiang. Xu herself was detained and tried after April 2023.[1]
The EU’s 2024 statement identifies Xu and Yu as having been detained while traveling to its delegation in China and subsequently sentenced separately. It called for both to be released and raised concerns over access to counsel and family.[2]
Case Summary
Xu and Yu were taken into custody in Beijing on April 13, 2023 while heading to the EU delegation. In 2024 they were transferred to Suzhou and tried separately in August. On October 29, the Suzhou Intermediate People’s Court sentenced Xu to twenty-one months and Yu to three years for inciting subversion.[2][1][3]
Freedom House records Xu’s release on January 13, 2025. A 2026 legal-organization update reports continuing surveillance after release, family responsibilities and visits to her imprisoned husband. Yu subsequently completed his sentence and was released on April 13, 2026.[4][1]
Timeline
2023-04-13
Detained en route to the EU delegation
Xu and Yu were taken into custody while traveling to the EU delegation in Beijing. The EU recalled the detention in its sentencing statement and called for their release.[2]
2024-08
Separate trials in Suzhou
2024-10-29
Twenty-one-month sentence
The Suzhou Intermediate People’s Court imposed twenty-one months on Xu and three years on Yu for inciting subversion. The EU issued a statement on their sentencing that day.[2]
2025-01-13
Released
2026-04-13
Yu Wensheng completes his sentence
The 2026 legal-organization update records Yu’s release after completing three years and reviews Xu’s earlier release, surveillance and family visits.[1]
Related Events
Sources
- [1]
CNHRA-S-346842Lawyers for Lawyers
Evidence location: Yu and Xu sections: advocacy, post-release surveillance, Zhenjiang visits and Yu’s April 13, 2026 release.
- [2]
CNHRA-S-484886European External Action Service
Evidence location: Statement: April 13, 2023 detention, different sentences on October 29, 2024 and contact with counsel and family.
- [3]
CNHRA-S-764615Front Line Defenders
Evidence location: 2023 detention, 2024 transfer to Suzhou, separate August trials and family/counsel contact.
- [4]
CNHRA-S-341814Freedom House
Evidence location: Human rights defenders in court section: Xu’s twenty-one-month term and January 13, 2025 release.