Jiang Tianyong (image via Frontline Defenders)
By Jerome A. Cohen
Here is the latest report on the continuing police detention of disbarred lawyer Jiang Tianyong, whose home, like that of many others ostensibly released from prison, has been turned into his prison. This, as the report indicates, is a classic example of the widespread but little-recognized practice that I long ago termed “Non-Release Release” (NRR). Although Jiang still has another year to serve of the three-year “deprivation of political rights” (DPR) to which he was sentenced in addition to his formal two-year prison sentence, there is no way that his continuing NRR can be justified as falling under DPR, and I have seen no serious attempt to legally support that claim. This is simply another instance of arbitrary police action against which there is no appeal. It is, of course, a blatant violation of Jiang’s rights under both international law and China’s domestic laws.
I am especially aware of the tragic injustice that Xi Jinping’s Communist Party is inflicting in this case. I have known and admired Jiang for over fifteen years since he made his career change from public school teacher to human rights lawyer because he believed that would enable him to do more to promote democracy, freedom and human rights for the country. We cooperated in 2004-05 in the vain effort to protect the famous blind “barefoot lawyer” Chen Guangcheng. Jiang proved to be an able and fearless colleague. He and his family have long suffered as a result of his many similarly courageous efforts.
Much more should be done to expose, condemn and prevent such blatant injustices.