On 30 October 2025, The Rights Practice, The Law Society of England and Wales, Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada, Lawyers for Lawyers, International Bar Association Human Rights Institute, Asian Lawyers Network, and the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) issued a joint statement expressing grave concerns about reports that Zhang Wenpeng has been tortured while in arbitrary detention in China, as well as the infringement of his fair trial rights, and the politically-motivated denial of his licence to practise law.

Zhang Wenpeng passed the Chinese bar exam in 2016 but has reportedly been denied a licence to practice law due to his opposition to the government-controlled All China Lawyers Association (ACLA). He was arrested on 24 September 2024, on the charge of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble”, after he provided legal information to a client accused of corruption. He was formally indicted on 14 July 2025 and is currently being held at the Sanya No.2 Detention Centre in Hainan Province. While in detention, he was reportedly shackled with heavy chains for seven consecutive days and nights in December 2024. 

Our organisations are concerned that Zhang Wenpeng’s detention is arbitrary, as it is related to his professional duties and the legitimate exercise of his freedom of expression. We are also concerned about Zhang Wenpeng’s reports of the torture he has endured in detention, and the infringements of his fair trial rights.

We urge China's authorities to immediately ensure the unconditional release of Zhang Wenpeng from detention, drop the criminal charges, and reverse all administrative measures against him. 

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