Chinese rights lawyer Yu Wensheng, an independent Turkmen photojournalist and a Saudi women’s rights activist were among the final three nominees for the prestigious Martin Ennals Prize, announced Jan. 18.
In its announcement, the awards foundation noted that Yu has been imprisoned for nearly three years, that his right hand was broken during his captivity and that his health has deteriorated.
As a business lawyer, Yu has spent years defending fellow lawyers arrested in the “709” lawyer arrests. He was arrested in 2018 and sentenced last year to four years on charges of “inciting subversion of state power.
Several governments in Europe and the United States have called on the Chinese government to release Yu Wensheng. His wife, Xu Yan, tweeted after learning of Yu’s nomination for the human rights award, saying it was the best gift and blessing for him.
Previously, Chinese Xinjiang Uyghur scholar Ilham Tohti received the Martin Ennas Award in 2016.
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