Human Rights Defender Sentenced to 4 Years

Liu Jian-xin from southern China’s Fuzhou city was sentenced to four years in prison in January. Liu has been fighting against forced demolition, and for the rights of his village for 14 years. Authorities in Fuzhou city demolished the structures and resources without residents’ consent, a common practice in China. His wife only found out about her husband’s trial date through a letter she received from her husband—sent from inside a detention center.