CNHRA PERSON RECORD · CNHRA-P-252108
Zhang Zhan
Biography
Before traveling to Wuhan, Zhang wrote, posted online and displayed placards concerning the Hong Kong protests. UN Opinion No. 25/2021 records an earlier detention in September 2019 and release on November 26 that year.[3]
Zhang Zhan is a citizen journalist and former lawyer. In February 2020 she traveled to Wuhan, publishing videos and commentary about residents, hospitals and pandemic-control measures during the lockdown.[1]
Zhang distributed reports through WeChat, Twitter and YouTube, including accounts of other independent reporters’ detention and interference with bereaved families seeking accountability. Her personal accounts carried observations beyond Wuhan. In 2021, RSF awarded her its Press Freedom Prize for Courage.[3][4]
Her arrest was approved in June 2020, followed by indictment in September and a four-year sentence on December 28. A 2025 UN Special Procedures communication reviewed the first case and transmitted accounts of a hunger strike, forced feeding and health concerns.[1]
After completing the sentence in May 2024, she was subjected to criminal coercive measures again on August 29. China’s 2026 reply records a second four-year sentence for picking quarrels and provoking trouble on September 19, 2025, upheld on October 27, and a subsequent transfer to Shanghai Women’s Prison.[2]
Case Summary
Following her Wuhan reporting, Zhang’s arrest was approved on June 19, 2020, she was indicted on September 15 and sentenced to four years on December 28. A Special Procedures communication reviewed her hunger strike and health and raised concerns about forced feeding and medical treatment.[1]
China’s 2026 reply records completion of the first sentence in May 2024, renewed criminal coercive measures on August 29, a second four-year sentence on September 19, 2025, and rejection of appeal on October 27. China reported transfer to Shanghai Women’s Prison and denied abuses; Special Procedures had raised concerns about closed proceedings, contact and medical care.[2][1]
Timeline
2019-09
Detained over expression concerning Hong Kong
The opinion recounts her writing, online expression and placards, followed by detention.[3]
2020-02
Independent reporting in Wuhan
The 2025 communication recounts travel in early February and videos of residents, hospitals and lockdown effects. Platform records have not been individually checked, so totals are omitted.
She published videos and commentary through WeChat, Twitter and YouTube about residents, hospitals, lockdown measures and the circumstances of other independent reporters and bereaved families. The reporting provides context for the prosecution. RSF recognized it in 2021, but this archive has not independently verified every video.[1][4]
2020-05-14
Loses contact in Wuhan
The Special Procedures communication records loss of contact the day after a video criticizing pandemic measures.[1]
2020-05-15
Placed in criminal detention
2020-06-19
Arrest approved in first case
The Pudong procuratorate approved arrest. Prosecution followed on September 15 and the trial and sentencing on December 28.[1]
2020-09-15
Indicted in first case
The Special Procedures communication records indictment concerning pandemic-related online publications.[1]
2020-12-28
First four-year sentence
Exact date appears in the communication; the government reply confirms the month and term.
The case proceeded through arrest approval on June 19 and prosecution on September 15 before trial and sentencing. A later Special Procedures communication revisited her hunger strike and alleged force-feeding, raising medical-treatment concerns; the Working Group’s 2021 opinion examined detention and expression. The record therefore includes procedural and health disputes beyond the sentence itself.[1][3]
2021-09-06
UN Working Group adopts opinion
The Working Group called for release and remedies; the opinion was issued on October 26.[3]
2021-11
Receives RSF Press Freedom Prize for Courage
RSF announced the prize recognizing her independent Wuhan reporting.[4]
2024-05
Released after sentence
China’s reply records her release after completing the four-year sentence in the first case.[2]
2024-08-29
Renewed criminal coercive measures
China’s reply records renewed criminal coercive measures, followed by a second prosecution.[2]
2025-09-19
Second four-year sentence
The government reply and communication record a second four-year sentence.
The second case followed completion of her first term in May 2024 and renewed criminal measures on August 29. The government’s 2026 reply states that the appeal was rejected on October 27 and she was subsequently sent to Shanghai Women’s Prison, while denying violations. Special Procedures raised separate concerns about contact, closed proceedings and health; the full judgments remain unavailable to the archive.[2][1]
2025-10-27
Appeal rejected according to China’s reply
China’s reply states that Shanghai No. 1 Intermediate Court rejected the appeal and upheld the judgment.[2]
Related Events
Documents
Sources
- [1]
CNHRA-S-716546UN Special Procedures
Evidence location: PDF page 1 communication date; page 2 Context; page 3 New detention and sentence.
- [2]
CNHRA-S-592052Government of China / UN Special Procedures
Evidence location: PDF page 1 note CHN/HR/2026/17 and signature date; page 2 answers 1–3 concerning the two cases and appeal.
- [3]
CNHRA-S-094118UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention
Evidence location: Paragraph 10: publishing platforms and subjects; award separately supported by RSF.
- [4]
CNHRA-S-777579Reporters Without Borders
Evidence location: Zhang Zhan Courage Prize section and Wuhan reporting.