Liu Ping

JAILED FOR FIGHTING CORRUPTION

Liu Ping became an activist at 45 years old when she was forced to retire from her work at the state-owned Iron and Steel Plant. She first advocated for workers’ rights, then began promoting various other human rights issues, including anti-corruption activism. As a result, she has been frequently intimidated, beaten, and illegally detained.

Now Liu Ping has been sentenced to more than six years in prison for publicly calling on the Chinese government to step up the fight against corruption. She is a Prisoner of Conscience. Liu Ping is one of many people who have been persecuted and detained for their links to the New Citizens’ Movement, a loose network of activists who aim to promote government transparency and expose corruption in China.

Liu Ping has tried to tackle corruption by pushing for government officials to make their assets public. She was found guilty of “picking quarrels and provoking troubles,” “gathering a crowd to disturb order in a public place,” and even “using an evil cult to undermine law enforcement.” Liu Ping stated in court that she was tortured in pre-trial detention. She remains at risk of torture and there are serious concerns for her health.

Liu Ping’s case highlights the hypocrisy of Chinese government officials, who claim to be clamping down on corruption yet persecute those who try to expose it.