Confidence in China’s judicial system damaged by secret trial of human rights lawyer Wang Quanzhang, says Hong Kong Bar Association
- Group representing city’s lawyers expresses ‘grave concern’ about process surrounding closed hearing
- Wang has been missing since August 2015 after being swept up in Chinese crackdown
Hong Kong’s Bar Association has said the secret trial of prominent Chinese human rights lawyer Wang Quanzhang has damaged confidence in the country’s judicial system.
Wang, who has not been seen since August 2015, was found guilty of subversion last year and sentenced to 4½ years in prison after a trial which critics said failed to meet even the most basic of legal standards and reportedly included the defendant being forced to use a court-appointed lawyer.
“The HKBA expresses the gravest concern about the treatment of Mr Wang and also the decision to conduct the trial of Mr Wang in secret,” it said.
“The HKBA also notes, with utmost concern and regret, that the mainland authority’s failure to hold an open trial of Mr Wang has undermined confidence in the judicial system of China.”