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CNHRA PERSON RECORD · CNHRA-P-040511

Yu Wensheng

余文生

Born

Unknown

Occupation

Unknown

Role

Human Rights Defender · Public Commentator

Record ID

CNHRA-P-040511

Biography

Yu Wensheng is a lawyer who defended human rights cases and publicly expressed views on political and legal institutions.[1][2]

Yu represented petitioners, activists and lawyers in Beijing and advocated constitutional reform. Front Line Defenders also records air-pollution litigation in 2016.[4]

Yu served a four-year term from 2018 to 2022. Xu Yan advocated for his release and other affected families before her own prosecution.[1][4]

Case Summary

After April 13, 2023 custody, both faced restricted contact. Front Line Defenders describes transfer to Suzhou, separate August 2024 trials and blocked diplomatic observation. The Suzhou intermediate court’s October sentences differed: three years for Yu and twenty-one months for Xu.[4][2]

Lawyers for Lawyers’ June 2026 update reports Xu’s January 2025 release and continuing surveillance, and long-distance family visits to Yu in Zhenjiang. Yu was released on April 13, 2026.[5][3]

Timeline

2020-12-13

Earlier four-year sentence upheld

The EU statement records affirmance of the earlier four-year sentence. Front Line Defenders’ later chronology places that term in 2018–2022.[1][4]

2023-04-13

Detained en route to the EU delegation

Yu and Xu Yan were taken into custody en route to the EU delegation in Beijing. EU and legal organizations connect the case to advocacy and diplomatic engagement, with later contact restrictions and transfer to Suzhou.[2][4]

2024-10-29

Three-year sentence in a new case

Suzhou’s intermediate court imposed three years on Yu and twenty-one months on Xu for inciting subversion. Front Line Defenders describes separate hearings and blocked diplomatic observation.[2][4]

2026-04-13

Released after completing sentence

EU and legal organizations record release after three years. Lawyers for Lawyers describes the family’s earlier long-distance visits to Zhenjiang.[3][5]

Related Events

2023-04-13

Yu Wensheng and Xu Yan: Detention in 2023 and Subsequent Sentences

余文生与许艳：2023年拘押及后续判刑

CNHRA-E-281430

View Event Record →

Sources

  1. [1]
    Statement on sentencing of journalists, lawyers and human rights defenders

    CNHRA-S-482595European External Action Service

    Evidence location: Yu Wensheng passage: appeal upholding a four-year sentence on December 13, 2020.

  2. [2]
    Statement on the sentencing of Yu Wensheng and Xu Yan

    CNHRA-S-484886European External Action Service

    Evidence location: Body: April 13, 2023 detention and 2024 sentences.

  3. [3]
    Statement on the release of human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng

    CNHRA-S-037645European External Action Service

    Evidence location: Body: same-day release on completion of sentence and concerns about restrictions.

  4. [4]
    Human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng released after completing sentence

    CNHRA-S-764615Front Line Defenders

    Evidence location: Work, earlier imprisonment, 2023 detention, Suzhou trial and release on April 13, 2026.

  5. [5]
    Case update: release of human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng

    CNHRA-S-346842Lawyers for Lawyers

    Evidence location: Yu Wensheng section: legal work, family visits, Xu Yan’s release and release on April 13, 2026.

Record ID: CNHRA-P-040511