Case History: Zhang Keke
On 9 November 2015, human rights lawyer Zhang Keke became the latest human rights defender to be blocked from leaving China for reasons of 'state security'.
Since a mass crackdown on human rights defenders across the country began in July 2015, it is estimated that at least 19 human rights lawyers have been prevented from travelling abroad. Family members of some of those have also been forbidden from leaving the country.
Zhang Keke is a lawyer from Hubei province who has specialized in cases of freedom of religion, including Falun Gong practitioners and Christians who are not affiliated with state churches. His license to practice law was temporarily suspended in June 2014 as a result of his human rights activities.
On 9 and 10 November 2015, human rights lawyers Messrs Zhang Keke and Lin Qilei became the latest human rights defenders to be blocked from leaving China for reasons of 'state security'.
Since a mass crackdown on human rights defenders across the country began in July 2015, it is estimated that at least 19 human rights lawyers have been prevented from travelling abroad. Family members of some of those have also been forbidden from leaving the country.
On 9 November Zhang Keke travelled to Beijing Capital Airport to take a flight to Europe. At around 12pm he was informed by immigration officers that Beijing Public Security officials had decided that because he may represent a threat to national security, he would not be permitted to travel abroad.
The following morning at around 8:40am, Lin Qilei was also stopped by immigration officials at Terminal 2 of Beijing Capital Airport and told that Beijing City Public Security Bureau had forbidden him from leaving China because he may harm national security. Immigration officials were unable to provide him with any documentation detailing his travel ban.
An increasing number of travel bans have been issued against human rights defenders in the past four months and human rights lawyers have been especially targeted. Since 9 July 2015, those not permitted to leave China include lawyers Zhang Weifang, Liang Xiaojun, Cai Ying, Si Weijiang, Li Fangping, Chen Wuquan, Yan Wenxin, He Yongxi, Huang Simin, Liu Zhengqing, Ge Wenxiu, Wang Quanping, Li Guobei, Chen Jiangang, Zhang Lei, Li Jinxing and Pang Kun. Family members of these lawyers have also been prevented from leaving the country.
