Five detained Chinese women’s rights activists released on bail
Campaigners against sexual harassment on public transport were held on same weekend as International Women's Day, creating an outcry in China and overseas
China has unexpectedly released five women activists on bail, two lawyers said, after a vocal campaign against their detention by the West and Chinese rights campaigners.
The women were taken into custody on the weekend of March 8, International Women’s Day, and detained on suspicion of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble”. They had planned to demonstrate against sexual harassment on public transport.
Their case has outraged a swath of Chinese society. Dozens of students and workers have signed petitions calling for their release.
US Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry also called for their release, prompting China’s Foreign Ministry to lodge a formal protest with Washington
The European Union also expressed concern about the case.
Police did not immediately respond to a written request for comment.