kabarsula China: Maximum sentence for artist Gao Zhen is an assault on artistic freedom bandar SLOT INDONESIA

Responding to news that Chinese artist Gao Zhen has been convicted of the offence of “slandering China’s heroes and martyrs” and sentenced to three years in prison, Amnesty International’s China Director Sarah Brooks said:

“The lengthy pre-trial detention and, ultimately, decision to convict Gao Zhen and sentence him to the maximum three-year prison term under this offence illustrate the authorities’ determination to deter others from engaging in independent artistic expression.

“No artist should face criminal punishment for creating work that challenges official narratives or encourages critical reflection on history.

“This trial demonstrates how broadly worded and politically motivated laws are used – and worse, in this case, used retroactively – to silence artists, activists and other individuals who dare to express views that differ from those of the Chinese government.”

The repressive outreach of the authorities has extended beyond Gao Zhen himself. His wife and child have not been accused of any crime, yet they have reportedly been subject to harassment and intimidation and have been unable to leave China since his detention.

Brooks added, “The retaliation against Gao Zhen’s family members is a deeply troubling tactic and amounts to a form of collective punishment.

“Gao Zhen’s conviction should be overturned, all charges against him should be dropped, and he should be released immediately and unconditionally. Harassment and threats against Gao Zhen’s family must end, and his wife and child should be allowed to leave the country freely.

“The Chinese authorities must repeal the law on heroes and martyrs unless they can ensure that it is in line with international human rights standards, and must cease criminalizing peaceful expression and artistic creation.”

Background

Chinese artist and US permanent resident Gao Zhen was detained in August 2024 on suspicion of the offence of “infringing upon the reputation and honour of heroes and martyrs”. The charges relate to artistic works, dating back a decade or more, that authorities claim insulted revolutionary figures.

On 25 August 2026, the Sanhe City People’s Court in Hebei Province sentenced him to three years’ imprisonment, with his sentence due to end on 25 August 2027. Gao Zhen has decided to appeal the conviction and sentence.

Gao Zhen is part of the internationally known Gao Brothers artistic duo. The brothers are renowned for their contemporary artworks examining Chinese history, state power and social change.

There are also concerns about his health and well-being in detention. Gao Zhen, now 70, reportedly suffers from multiple health conditions, including lumbar spine disease and fluid accumulation in his knees. According to reliable information, he has collapsed several times during his detention. His communication with family has also reportedly been severely restricted since May 2025.

According to reports, Gao’s wife is subject to exit ban on alleged national security grounds, preventing both her and their son from leaving China. In August 2026, Amnesty International highlighted Gao Zhen’s case in a letter to European Union leadership concerning the use of exit bans against human rights defenders and their family members in China.