Chinese lawyers punished for trying to help Tibetans

Chinese lawyers who offered voluntary legal support for Tibetans charged with involvement in the protests that erupted in Tibet in March have been denied renewal of their licenses. At least three of the original group of Chinese lawyers who offered their services to the Tibetans may now lose the ability to practice law in China.

At a news conference in Hong Kong yesterday, China Human Rights Lawyers’ Concern Group chairman Albert Ho identified the three lawyers as Teng Biao and Li Heping from Beijing and Zhang Jiankang from the northern city of Xian.

However, according to an AP report, “he also said there were others whom he didn’t want to name because he didn’t want to jeopardize their status.”

Also on Friday, Human Rights Watch spoke about two of the lawyers, Teng Biao and Zhang Jiankang, which they say have “distinguished records of defending civil and human rights cases:”

“Beijing is trying to intimidate the legal profession by suspending these two lawyers and threatening not to renew many licenses,” said Sophie Richardson, Asia advocacy director at Human Rights Watch. “The goals are to deter lawyers from representing human rights cases, and to deter firms from employing lawyers who want those cases.”

Although the Chinese government and its supporters like to claim that Tibetans have rights under Chinese law and that the Chinese constitution China’s autonomy laws protect Tibetans this is clearly not the case. There is no true rule of law in China or Tibet. Tibetans are at the mercy of the Chinese authorities and the “law” is only used when and however it suits them. As it is, a “fair trial” for a Chinese person is unlikely if it means going up against the government or government interests. Just look at what happened to Hu Jia. The idea that a Tibetan could actually receive a “fair trial” in a case involving “separatism” is laughable.

And so now Tibetans are being tried and convicted behind closed doors with secret evidence. As long as China remains a one-party state where “rule of law” is designed only to preserve the power of the Communist Party, nobody can help them– not even the most brilliant and courageous Chinese lawyers. For them, and any other person in China considering advocating for the rights of Tibetans within the system, the message from the authorities is clear: “Stay away from Tibet or you will pay.”

I have a simple message too for the Chinese lawyers Teng Biao, Li Heping, and Zhang Jiankang. It is a small consolation but I can assure you that I and many others deeply appreciate your courage – and unfortunately, your sacrifice – to see that justice is served.