URGENT: On 5 February 2024 Yang was sentenced to death by a court in China. Sign the petition and call on the Chinese authorities to release Yang Hengjun and quash his death sentence immediately.

Chinese-Australian writer Yang Hengjun has been detained by the Chinese authorities since January 2019.

For months following his detention, no one saw or heard from Yang. Yang has said he had endured more than 300 interrogations by 30 different people, sometimes for hours at a time.

In 2020 the Chinese authorities charged him with espionage. To this day, they have provided no evidence to substantiate their allegations that he was a spy. 

Rather, Yang's prosecution appears to be motivated by articles he wrote that were critical of the Chinese government, and for his advocacy in support of democracy. He and his family have denied all allegations. 

Following an unfair trial held beind closed doors Yang was sentenced to death in February 2024. The sentence can be converted to a life sentence after two years, pending good behaviour. 

Yang's health has deteriorated during the five years he has been in detention. Last year he said he was concerned that he might die in prison.

We cannot wait, we must advocate for Yang's death sentence to be quashed, and for his immediate, unconditional release, so that he can reunite with his family.

Sign the petition and call on the Chinese authorities to release Yang Hengjun and quash his death sentence immediately.