Chinese Govt. Resumes Show Trials to Suppress Human Rights Dissent

Chinese officials put three human rights activists and one lawyer on trial this month in the eastern city of Tianjin. One defendant was found guilty of subversion and received a three-year suspended prison sentence.

The four are among approximately 300 human rights activists and lawyers arrested or questioned by the government in a crackdown that began in July, 2015. 

Human rights activist, Gou Hongguo was convicted of subverting state power and told the court he had become blinded by so-called "Western democratic ideas."

"My actions and my words expressed during various incidents have deeply affected social stability. I have been used by western foreign forces, and people with ulterior motives. I have created harm to our national security," confessed Gou.. "My actions have broken the law. I accept the charges and will abide by the verdict. I accept the verdict of the court, and will never appeal."

Government critics say Gou Hongguo statement was a coerced confession.

State-run media accused Zhou Shifeng, Hu Shigen and Zhai Yanmin and their Fengrui Law Firm in Beijing of forming a "major criminal gang that organized and planned the creation of an uproar in more than 40 sensitive cases and that seriously disturbed Chinese society."  

The Fengrui Law Firm often defended Christian activists and publicized their cases online. Their actions were harshly denounced by the authorities as interference in the legal process. Head of the law firm, Hu Shigen received a seven year prison sentence.

Amnesty International East Asia Research Director Roseann Rife believes Chinese internet users are now looking beyond on-line government propaganda.

"It can be difficult of course with the Great Firewall, but people still manage to see different sources. I think people are smart enough to try to weigh either side, or four sides of any story," she said.

Meanwhile, Wang Fulei, a fervent supporter of the lawyers also had run-ins with the authorities. He says unlike the older generation, younger Chinese don't believe highly choreographed televised confessions like Gou Hongguo's.

"Regarding the credibility of the news, you should judge according to different aspects. Everyone has different opinions. I remain doubtful, no matter what media it is," insisted Wang. 

The recent trials are part of an official government strategy established by President Xi Jingping to use legal means to maintain pressure on human rights activists and to silence religious freedom advocates. 

Family members of the accused have complained that they have not been allowed to contact them during their year of detention and that the defendants were not allowed to choose their attorneys.