The Human Rights Foundation has formally approached a United Nations body that evaluates detention cases, advocating for Chinese dissident artist Gao Zhen. The petition seeks recognition that his ongoing detention is arbitrary under international law.
At 69, Gao was apprehended in China in 2024, charged with "slandering China's heroes and martyrs." This accusation is linked to his artistic practice, which challenges official narratives by reinterpreting historical figures through sculpture. During a police raid on his studio in Sanhe City, authorities confiscated over 100 pieces of his artwork, including provocative pieces like Miss Mao and The Execution of Christ, both of which critique the authoritarianism and censorship of the Chinese Communist Party.
The Human Rights Foundation highlighted in its April petition that these artworks were created long before the enactment of China's 2021 law against "slandering" national figures, emphasizing that applying this law retroactively to criminalize Gao's work illustrates the extremes to which the Chinese government will go to suppress dissent.
Gao's trial, which was postponed multiple times, took place in a single day on March 30, 2026, raising concerns about the fairness of the proceedings. He is currently awaiting a verdict. The petition outlines various alleged human rights violations, including prolonged solitary confinement, the retroactive application of vague laws, and denial of necessary medical care.
In October 2025, Human Rights Watch urged the Chinese government to dismiss what it termed "baseless charges" against Gao, a permanent US resident, stressing that he is in deteriorating health. Reports indicate that Gao fainted the previous month, and his brother, Gao Qiang, mentioned that authorities seized numerous sculptures and paintings, including controversial representations of Mao.
The Human Rights Foundation further accused the Chinese authorities of neglecting Gao's medical needs, noting he is at risk for a stroke and suffers from chronic back pain, having been confined in overcrowded conditions. Following his arrest, a collective of 181 artists, writers, and activists from China signed a petition calling for his release, drawing parallels between the current regime and Mao's era. They noted the historical persecution faced by Gao's family during the Cultural Revolution, emphasizing the need for justice and the protection of artistic expression.
This situation underscores the ongoing challenges faced by artists and intellectuals in authoritarian regimes. As the global community becomes increasingly aware of such human rights issues, the hope remains that advocacy and international attention will foster a more supportive environment for creative freedom and expression.