A prominent female #MeToo activist in China has been handed a five-year jail sentence for “subversion against the state”.

Sophia Huang Xueqin was convicted and sentenced on Friday, nearly 10 months after she went on trial.

Labour activist Wang Jianbing, who stood trial with Ms Huang, was sentenced to three years and six months in prison.

Ms Huang, 36, had been one of the most prominent voices in China’s #MeToo space, reporting ground-breaking stories about sexual abuse victims.

She had also spoken out about the misogyny and sexism she faced in Chinese newsrooms.

Chinese authorities have not made it clear how the two stood accused of subversion. The trial was a closed-door hearing.

But their supporters say they were detained because they hosted regular meetings and forums for young people to discuss social issues.

  • @NOT_RICK
    link
    English
    485 months ago

    Example #5,457 of authoritarian countries choosing to sweep their problems under the rug rather than having to admit to any shortcomings. Reminds me of the Chernobyl miniseries

  • ThePowerOfGeek
    link
    English
    345 months ago

    The beatings will continue until morale improves!!

    • @PunnyName
      link
      English
      45 months ago

      Time to start disassembling the beaters.

  • @555
    link
    English
    215 months ago

    Hexbears are salivating.

    • Eggyhead
      link
      fedilink
      205 months ago

      because she works harder than the average ccp member.

    • @YaDownWitCPP
      link
      English
      55 months ago

      Because she works harder than the average ccp member ¯_(ツ)_/¯

  • @Lost_My_Mind
    link
    English
    75 months ago

    Another way to read this headline: Chinese MeToo activist jailed “for 5 years”.

    She’ll be in there for 5 years, and suddenly she disappears after nobody has been thinking of her for 5 years, and theres no press about it. Then she could be held in private jail forever.

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    English
    15 months ago

    Ironically, if she had used a Chinese hashtag she would’ve been fine. The state’s case hinges on #MeToo being a US-backed movement, just like #Pride.

    LGBT and women’s rights activists in China are restricted from using foreign iconography and foreign slogans, but not from demonstrating. It’s absurd, but altogether a different issue than what the article makes it out to be.