Zhang Xiaoyu (张小玉) — Media Profile & Archive
See the Person Profile.
This archive collects the documented media, legal, and advocacy record of the case of petitioner Zhang Xiaoyu of Jiaozuo, Henan, from her July 2014 detention through her December 2016 sentencing. All summaries below describe what each source reports; allegations attributed by sources are identified as such.
July 2014 — Detention and alleged beatings.
- Amnesty International, Urgent Action 196/14 (August 8, 2014): “Husband and wife at risk of torture in China.” Reports that veteran petitioners Zhang Xiaoyu and Xu Youchen were detained in Beijing on July 17, 2014, taken to Jiaozuo, accused of stabbing a policeman, and severely beaten; Zhang nearly lost her eyesight and Xu suffered serious facial injuries; lawyers were denied access and beaten; both were formally charged with intentional homicide on August 2, 2014.
- Chinese Human Rights Defenders, “China Human Rights Briefing, July 25–30, 2014” (July 30, 2014): Reports that Zhang Xiaoyu (张小玉) and Xu Youchen (许有臣) were severely beaten in detention on suspicion of killing a policeman; lawyer Liu Shuqing confirmed Zhang’s near-loss of eyesight and Xu’s facial injuries; documents the blocking of lawyers Chang Weiping, Chen Taihe, and Liu Shuqing, the beating of Li Jinxing and Liu Hao outside Jiaozuo detention center, and the cremation of the deceased policeman four days after death, preventing re-examination of the cause of death.
- Human Rights in China, “Letter from the Lawyers of Zhang Xiaoyu and Xu Youchen to Henan Provincial, Municipal, and District Public Security Organs” (July 24, 2014): Primary document — joint letter by lawyers Liu Shuqing, Chen Taihe, Li Jinxing, and Liu Jinbin alleging illegal investigative acts by the Zhongzhan branch bureau (denial of lawyer visits, forced witness testimony by a defense lawyer, conflict of interest) and requesting a transfer of jurisdiction.
January 2017 — Sentencing.
- Amnesty International, Urgent Action 3/17 (January 11, 2017): “Veteran activist sentenced to death: Xu Youchen.” Reports that the homicide charge against Zhang Xiaoyu was dropped on June 4, 2015 for insufficient evidence; that she was re-detained in August 2015 over her 2014 petitioning and sentenced on December 22, 2016 to three years and six months for “picking quarrels and provoking trouble”; and that Xu Youchen was convicted and sentenced to death. Notes an appeal under review.
Evidence notes. No public reporting on Zhang Xiaoyu after January 2017 has been located. The Issue 131 roster lists her in its Henan detained-without-trial group, which is inconsistent with the 2016 sentence — the roster entry should be treated as outdated on this point.