The arrests indicate that the offence of subversion under the National Security Law is being used to detain individuals for exercising legitimate rights to participate in political and public life, says a spokeswoman for the OHCHR.
Worldwide, 106 countries have abolished the death penalty in law for all crimes, and 142 countries have abolished the death penalty in law or practice.
Reporters Without Borders has called on the Chinese authorities to reverse their decision to expel three journalists from the Wall Street Journal based in Beijing because of an opinion piece the newspaper published about China’s handling of the coronavirus epidemic.
The Committee to Protect Journalists has called on the Chinese authorities to immediately account for the whereabouts of journalist Chen Qiushi, and ensure that the media can cover the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan without fear of retribution