Chinese state media have accused seven detained labor activists of “inciting workers to go on strike,” accepting foreign funding and “disturbing social order,” sparking criticism from rights groups.
The accusations come amid what rights groups say is the most sweeping clampdown on dissent in two decades in China, whose government has detained hundreds of activists working within the system to press for change.
Earlier this month, police in Guangzhou detained Panyu Migrant Workers Center director Zeng Feiyang (曾飛洋) on a charge of “disturbing social order,” said Cheng Zhunqiang (程准強), Zeng’s lawyer.
Six other activists have also been detained, according to rights group Amnesty International.
The more detailed accusations listed by state-run Xinhua news agency late on Tuesday and state broadcaster CCTV yesterday follow a string of “confessions” made by high-profile suspects on state television and articles used to discredit detained rights lawyers.
Critics say these accounts deprive the accused of the right to a fair trial.
“Workers’ representatives believe that the real motive of Zeng Feiyang et al is to incite workers to strike, create a social impact, interfere with factories’ normal production and disturb social order,” Xinhua said.
Zeng and the other activists “forced factories’ leaders into submission and incited workers to surround law enforcement agencies, causing a very bad impact on society,” Xinhua added.
Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Hong Lei (洪磊) said in a daily news briefing that the case would be handled “in accordance with the law.”
The Guangdong government and public security bureau did not answer calls for comment.
The detentions come amid a significant increase in the number of labor disputes in the southern manufacturing powerhouse of Guangdong, as the Chinese economy slows.
Hong Kong-based advocacy group China Labour Bulletin (CLB) last month documented 56 strikes in Guangdong, calling it a record. The group said this was due to factories closing down and bosses running off without paying wages.
Xinhua said the married Zeng had “at least eight long-term lovers” and sent sex videos and “vulgar messages” to women online.
“As a lawyer, I would like the charges made by a country against a citizen to be in the courts, rather than handling them in the manner of ‘Cultural Revolution’ posters,” Cheng said by telephone, referring to a 1966 to 1976 campaign that convulsed the country in chaos and violence after then-Chinese leader Mao Zedong (毛澤東) declared class war.
In addition to Zeng, the other detained activists are Zhu Xiaomei (朱小梅), He Xiaobo (何曉波), Meng Han, Peng Jiayong (彭家勇), Deng Xiaoming (鄧小明) and Tang Huanxing (湯歡興).
It was not possible to reach them or their lawyers.
CLB communications director Geoffrey Crothall said the activists were helping workers fight for their legal entitlements.
“These groups are the ones that are actually upholding the law,” Crothall said.
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