Ding Jiaxi spent his 57th birthday alone in a Chinese prison cell, marking his fifth year in detention without contact with his family. His wife, Sophie Luo, expressed concern for his well-being as she shared details of his situation to shed light on the harsh conditions faced by China’s political prisoners. These prisoners are often denied rights like outdoor exercise and communication with loved ones, according to families and human rights organizations.
Despite assurances in letters that Ding was in good health, his wife remains worried, especially considering his past experiences of torture. Ding, a prominent member of the now-disbanded New Citizen’s Movement advocating for democracy and civil society in China, was arrested in December 2019 after participating in a discussion in Xiamen and later sentenced to 12 years in prison for allegedly subverting state power in April 2023.
Various sources, including Maya Wang from Human Rights Watch, highlight the common mistreatment endured by political prisoners in China; a situation that has reportedly worsened under President Xi Jinping’s leadership. The lack of transparency enables the abuse to persist, leading to adverse effects on the prisoners’ well-being.
Representative Adam Schiff, a member of a congressional human rights commission, called for Ding’s release, emphasizing the ongoing separation of Ding from his family and the fundamental rights denied to him while in detention. Since Ding’s initial detention in 2013, his wife has been unable to speak with him over the phone and only received his first letter in March.
Luo expressed disbelief at the restrictions preventing Ding from exercising outside his cell, emphasizing the importance of such activities for his health. She also lamented the absence of Ding in their daughters’ lives, noting the profound impact of his absence when they needed a father figure the most.