China – Sentencing of Zhang Zhan (September 23, 2025)

France was deeply disturbed to learn that Zhang Zhan, a former lawyer and journalist who documented the Chinese authorities’ management of the Covid-19 pandemic, was sentenced to an additional four years in prison for “provoking trouble.” She had already served a four-year prison sentence on the same charge. We are concerned by the fact that foreign diplomats were not authorized to attend the hearing, even though it is allowed under Chinese law.

Together with its European partners, France calls for her immediate release and asks the Chinese authorities to put an end to the arbitrary arrests of human rights defenders. France remains committed to the freedom of expression and the freedom of the press throughout the world.