Beijing, 9 October 2025 — Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on the Chinese government to immediately drop charges against Gao Zhen, a U.S. permanent resident and prominent artist known for his critical depictions of China’s Cultural Revolution. Gao was arrested in August 2024 while visiting family in Sanhe City, Hebei province, and charged with “slandering China’s heroes and martyrs.”
Artistic Expression Under Scrutiny
Gao’s work, often produced in collaboration with his brother Qiang Gao, has long challenged official narratives surrounding Mao-era policies. The charge against him stems from artwork created prior to 2009, raising concerns about retroactive enforcement of a law introduced in 2021. If convicted, Gao faces up to three years in prison.
HRW condemned the prosecution as a violation of freedom of expression, protected under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. China, while a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, has not ratified the treaty.
Health and Legal Concerns
Gao is reportedly suffering from arteriosclerosis while in detention. Although his lawyers have been permitted to meet with him, authorities have denied confidential communication, prompting further criticism from rights advocates.
HRW’s Asia Director Elaine Pearson stated:
“The prosecution of Gao Zhen violates his basic rights and signals a troubling return to ideological repression. Critique of Mao’s legacy, once tolerated, now appears off-limits under President Xi Jinping’s tightening control.”
Broader Crackdown
Gao’s detention comes amid growing international concern over China’s use of ambiguous laws to suppress dissent. HRW recently warned that the proposed Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress could undermine minority protections. Separately, Amnesty International reported increased use of vague legal provisions to restrict freedom of speech and association.
In August, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders urged China to uphold international standards and protect imprisoned activists, including lawyer Ibrahim Metwally, who faces ongoing rights violations.
Outlook
Gao Zhen’s case has become emblematic of the shrinking space for artistic and political expression in China. Rights groups continue to press for his release and for greater transparency in legal proceedings, warning that the suppression of peaceful critique threatens both individual liberties and cultural discourse.
Sources: Human Rights Watch; Amnesty International; United Nations OHCHR; JURIST.
