The Plight of Zhang Hai and Others

Yang Zhanqing, May 2, 2023

Zhang Hai, an ordinary rights defender, faced the impact of an epidemic with no information disclosure, and his family members suddenly became infected and died. He chose to bravely speak up alongside other victims. However, their voices touched the hidden interests of those behind the scenes. These people, in order to maintain their status, regarded justice as an enemy and attempted to imprison Zhang Hai, the loudest voice, by various means. Eventually, during the Wuhan White-Haired Movement, the authorities could no longer tolerate him not only defending his own rights but also paying attention to social hotspots, so they arrested him across provinces.

After Zhang Hai was arrested, people who knew him were summoned and forced to testify. Lawyers willing to represent him were intimidated into silence, his family was silenced by police coercion, and overseas assistance seemed to be severed after being stigmatized. Zhang Hai's rescue path fell into a deadlock.

The ravages of the epidemic are undoubtedly a disaster, and the suppression of rights-defending groups, conscientious lawyers, and public welfare personnel is an even more tragic man-made tragedy. When the road to rights defense for the victims of the epidemic is so difficult, we have reason to question the crimes of those who blatantly damage the public interest.

However, speaking up is not easy. Faced with a powerful state apparatus, the vast majority of people have no choice but to remain silent. Oppression and fear have become an inescapable shackle. Many people choose to swallow their anger due to concerns about their family, work, and personal safety. This helplessness is a microcosm of today's China.

Therefore, when we talk about rights defense and justice, we cannot ignore the reality of Chinese society, and we cannot blame those who do not stand up. We must understand the plight of each individual and respect their choices. When we talk about unity and justice, we need to consider how to coexist in this narrow space, allowing people to protect themselves and their families while defending justice as much as possible.

The plight of Zhang Hai and others is also the plight of our civil society in China today. However, this does not mean that we cannot participate in the pursuit of justice. We can encourage victims and their families to speak up about the case's progress privately or in an alternative way. We can also use various methods to exert our power. For example, we can anonymously follow and spread case information, helping society understand the experiences of rights defenders, lawyers, and public welfare personnel. We can also use social media platforms to share these stories with more people, and even send postcards or deposit money for food to detainees, so they don't feel isolated and helpless. Additionally, we can pay attention to public welfare organizations that provide legal assistance to rights defenders, offering them support, even if it's just emotional care.

In conclusion, even in difficult situations, we can still do our best to speak and act on behalf of those who cannot. (Note: This article was completed with the assistance of GPT-4)