Calling for the release of Chinese journalist Zhang Zhan, marking the 5th anniversary of his arbitrary arrest

We, the undersigned press freedom and human rights organisations, strongly condemn the Chinese government’s ongoing arbitrary detention of journalist, human rights defender and
former lawyer Zhang Zhan, on the 5th anniversary of her arrest.

Zhang is an outspoken journalist, and one of many Chinese citizens who are imprisoned for exercising their right to freedom of the press and expression. Zhang Zhan was first detained on 14 May 2020, after she travelled to the city of Wuhan to courageously report on the early stages of Covid-19 pandemic, documenting overflowing hospitals, empty shops, and families of victims and independent journalists being harassed by the authorities. She is currently persecuted for supporting pro-democracy activist Zhang Pancheng, and reporting on human rights violations in the country.