Tag Archives: literary inquisition

No 17. Yu Zhang: Case 36 (1982): Qin Yongmin, Sentenced for Uniting Magazines

 From Wang Shiwei to Liu Xiaobo: Prisoners of Literary Inquisition under Communist Rule in China

Qin YongminQin Yongmin (August 11, 1953 – ), a worker, social activist and editor of independent magzines, was taken into custody for his involvement in Wuhan’s Democracy Wall Movement and for uniting magazines throughout China. In 1982, he was sentenced to eight years imprisonment for “counter-revolutionary propaganda and incitement”. Continue reading

No. 13 Yu ZHANG: Case No. 59 (2005): Yasin, A Wild Pigeon’s Separatism

 From Wang Shiwei to Liu Xiaobo: Prisoners of Literary Inquisition under Communist Rule in China

YasinNurmuhemmet Yasin (March 6, 1974 – ), a Uyghur poet and writer, was sentenced in 2005 to ten year’s imprisonment on the change of inciting separatism for publishing his short story “Wild Pigeon”.

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No. 14 Yu ZHANG: Case 50 (1996): Hada, Jailed over Self-Determination

From Wang Shiwei to Liu Xiaobo: Prisoners of Literary Inquisition under Communist Rule in China

HadaHada (November 29, 1955 – ), a Mongolian editor, scholar and social activist, was sentenced in 1996 to 15 years’ imprisonment on charges of “splitting the country” and “espionage” for organizing activities related to ethnic self-determination and autonomy, and for writing and publishing related materials. Continue reading

No. 14 Yu ZHANG: Case 64 (2010): Liu Xiaobo, Winning Prize with No Enemies

From Wang Shiwei to Liu Xiaobo: Prisoners of Literary Inquisition under Communist Rule in China

Liu Xiaobo

Liu Xiaobo (28 December 1955- ), a renowned Chinese literary critic, dissident writer and human rights activist, was sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment for “inciting subversion of state power” based on his writings criticizing the Chinese authorities and his participation in drafting and launching Charter 08. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010.
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No. 14 Yu ZHANG: Case No. 33 (1979): Wei Jingsheng, Imprisoned for Warning about Deng

From Wang Shiwei to Liu Xiaobo: Prisoners of Literary Inquisition under Communist Rule in China

Wei JingshengWei Jingsheng (May 20, 1950 – ), a dissident and social activist, was arrested in 1978 after posting an essay on Democracy Wall warning of Deng Xiaoping’s dictatorial tendencies, and was eventually sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for “counterrevolutionary crimes”. Continue reading

No. 14 Yu ZHANG: No. 19 (1965): Wu Han, Victim of History

From Wang Shiwei to Liu Xiaobo: Prisoners of Literary Inquisition under Communist Rule in China

Wu HanWu Han (born Wu Chunhan, September 24, 1909 – October 11, 1969), a historian, educator, essayist, editor, political activist and government official, was targeted in the opening salvos of the Cultural Revolution when his historical drama Hai Rui Dismissed from Office was judged in 1965 to be “using the past to criticize the present.”He died after four years of persecution. Continue reading

No. 14 Yu ZHANG: Case No. 14 (1960): Lin Zhao, Alone to the Execution Site

From Wang Shiwei to Liu Xiaobo: Prisoners of Literary Inquisition under Communist Rule in China

Lin Zhao1Lin Zhao (born Peng Lingzhao, December 16, 1931 – April 29, 1968), a university student, editor and writer, was sent to labor reform as a “student Rightist”and then arrested in 1960 as an “active counterrevolutionary” on the basis of poems she published in an underground magazine. After eight years of torture in prison, she was executed. Continue reading

No. 14 Yu ZHANG: Case No. 9 (1955): Hu Feng, Imprisoned for a Petition

From Wang Shiwei to Liu Xiaobo: Prisoners of Literary Inquisition under Communist Rule in China

Hu FengHu Feng (born Zhang Mingzhen, November 2, 1902 – June 8, 1985), a prominent art and literary critic, commentator, editor, translator and poet, was imprisoned in 1955 after the authorities named him leader of a“Hu Feng Counterrevolutionary Clique” on the basis of a “300,000-word Report”. He spent 24 years in prison and six more years under the cloud of injustice until his death.

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