The EU is dismayed by the sentencing of Chinese Human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng and his wife Xu Yan to three years and one year and 9 months imprisonment, respectively, for the alleged offence of ‘inciting subversion of state power’.

Yu Wensheng and Xu Yan were detained on 13 April 2023, on their way to the EU Delegation in Beijing for a meeting with senior officials of the European External Action Service.

The EU reiterates its calls for their immediate and unconditional release. The EU also continues to call on China to respect all of Yu Wensheng and Xu Yan’s rights, ensuring full access to adequate medical care, as well as regular access to lawyers of their choice and regular contacts with their families.