On October 13, Dr. Dilnur Reyhan, a distinguished French-Uyghur scholar and activist, will stand trial outside Paris for the dubious charge of “degradation of property belonging to others.” This legal spectacle is not merely a trivial matter of property damage; it is a calculated assault on dissent and a glaring manifestation of transnational repression orchestrated by the Chinese state.
The complaint against Reyhan originated from three employees of China’s embassy in Paris, who took offense at her participation in a protest against the Chinese government’s egregious human rights violations during a music festival in September 2022. Allegedly, she threw red paint on an embassy banner, which one plaintiff claims resulted in a €25 shoe-cleaning fee. Such a punitive response to a symbolic act of protest raises profound questions about freedom of expression and the lengths to which authoritarian regimes will go to stifle dissent.
The Chinese government, in its typical fashion, attempted to frame this incident as a “racist attack,” but this charge was rightfully dismissed. Dr. Reyhan was simply exercising her fundamental right to protest against the systematic oppression of the Uyghurs in Xinjiang, where the Chinese state has engaged in mass arbitrary detention, torture, forced disappearances, pervasive surveillance, and cultural and religious persecution. These actions have been condemned by Human Rights Watch and other organizations as constituting crimes against humanity.
For Dr. Reyhan, the stakes are high. “For the Chinese embassy, the aim is not to win or lose the case, but to impose a psychological and financial cost [on me] to silence [my] criticism,” she asserted during a March hearing. This statement encapsulates the chilling reality faced by activists globally: the repercussions of speaking out against powerful state actors can lead to crippling legal battles and personal hardships.
Initially, the prosecutor dismissed the complaint from the Chinese government in 2023. However, the case was reopened shortly after Chinese President Xi Jinping’s official visit to France in May 2024—an event that saw hundreds of Uyghurs, Tibetans, and other activists protesting against his regime. This alarming trend of political coercion raises serious concerns about the integrity of France’s legal system and its commitment to upholding human rights. In this context, the French authorities must ask themselves: are they willing to be complicit in China’s attempts to silence dissent?
The manipulation of legal processes by authoritarian regimes, as evidenced by the reopening of this case, underscores a disturbing reality. It is not an isolated incident; rather, it is part of a broader pattern of intimidation and harassment of critics abroad. The Chinese government has ramped up its transnational repression, targeting individuals like Tara Zhang Yadi, who was arrested for advocating Tibetan rights while studying in Paris. These actions highlight a growing crisis in which activists cannot safely express their views without the looming threat of legal repercussions.
It is imperative that the French government stand firm against such intimidation. People in France should enjoy the right to peacefully protest against any government, including the Chinese regime, without fear of undue legal consequences. The ongoing trial of Dr. Reyhan represents not just a personal attack on her freedom, but a direct affront to the values of justice, equality, and human rights that France claims to uphold.
In light of these developments, the French authorities must act decisively. They should dismiss the charges against Dr. Reyhan and focus on addressing the human rights abuses perpetrated by the Chinese government. To do otherwise is to enable a climate of fear and oppression that stifles dissent and undermines the very foundation of democratic values. The world is watching, and history will judge whether France will choose to defend the rights of its people or acquiesce to the demands of an authoritarian regime. It is time for moral clarity: stand with Dr. Reyhan, stand for human rights, and refuse to be silenced by those who wield power through oppression.
This article highlights the importance of of Uyghur Activism.
