CSW calls for information regarding Catholic writer detained on suspicion of ‘inciting secession’

CSW is calling for information regarding the status of Chinese writer and activist Pang Jian, who has been detained for over eight months on suspicion of ‘inciting secession.’ On 10 September, Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported (in Chinese) that his case was about to be heard at Baoding City Intermediate Court, Hebei Province; however, it is unclear if the case has gone to trial.

In an interview with RFA earlier this year, Pang’s father Pang Jingxian said his son had been taken away by police when he went for a coronavirus test in January. Later, police sent a notice of detention and a notice of formal arrest to Pang’s father dated 15 and 28 January respectively. The notice of detention stated that Pang Jian was criminally detained on suspicion of ‘inciting secession.’ The place of detention was given as Gaobeidian Detention Centre.

Pang Jian, 30, writes under the pen-name Gao Yang. According to RFA, he has previously reported on forced demolitions and evictions in rural areas, and about the Catholic community in Hebei, including its local customs and architecture. He had also featured in Hong Kong media talking about the province’s “underground” Catholic community.

Chen Taihe, a human rights lawyer, said that the first trial of Pang Jian’s case was to be held in the intermediate court, indicating that the authorities were preparing to impose a heavy sentence.

Chinese citizens who report on violations of freedom of religion or belief, and even those who write about religious communities, are vulnerable to harassment and arbitrary detention, and the transmission of religious information has come under increasingly tight restriction by the authorities. On 14 April, Christian entrepreneur Lai Jinqiang was tried behind closed doors for making audio Bible players available. Further details of the case are unclear, but it is believed he has since been sentenced to five years in prison.

In May, Bible apps were reportedly blocked and popular Christian accounts on the Chinese social media WeChat were suspended for violating new rules issued in January regulating independently operated social media accounts.

CSW’s Founder President Mervyn Thomas said: “We are extremely concerned about the grave charge against Pang Jian, and the lack of information regarding his expected trial. We further note with concern that Pang’s family was only informed of his upcoming trial at short notice, and it is not clear whether Pang has had access to a legal counsel of his choosing. We call on the authorities to immediately allow Pang access to legal counsel, to permit regular visits by his family, and to ensure that he has access to any medical care he may require. We further call on the Chinese government to uphold the rights to freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression, including the right to seek, receive and impart information as guaranteed in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”