Chinese human rights lawyer Ren Quanniu revealed more details about local authorities’ decision to revoke his license.
Ren represented Zhang after the latter was arrested in December 2017 for his faith.
The license revocation notice alleged that Ren violated Article 39, Item 3 of the“Administrative Measures for the Practice of Law,” which states that an attorney may not “reject the characterization of a heretical organization by the state,” and that Ren’s behavior was “egregious” and “severely damaged” the law profession.
The Chinese regime has labeled Falun Gong and many other minority faiths as “heretical organizations” in its propaganda to vilify adherents.
On Twitter, Ren thoroughly refuted these claims, stating that there is no law classifying Falun Gong as a heretical group, so it was not possible for him to reject the characterization.
Past Cases
According to Minghui.org, a U.S.-based website that tracks the persecution of Falun Gong in China, Zhang was 82 years old when he stood trial on Nov. 7, 2018.Zhang was charged for “undermining the law using a heretical organization.”
Zhang entered a not guilty plea. During the trial, Ren argued that his client had caused no harm to society and that there was no legal basis for the charge.
“Falun Gong believers, whether practicing in groups on the street corner or in public squares, or practicing alone in their homes, do not endanger others or interfere with anyone’s life, work, or studies. If they do not hinder or disturb others and, like the square dancers that gather at morning and dusk, have the same right to assemble and practice exercises outside, then why do Falun Gong practitioners not have the freedom to practice their faith?,” Ren said in court.
He represented Wong Wai-yin, who was among eight people sentenced to seven months by a court in Shenzhen city for “illegally crossing the border.”