(June 28, 2011) China releases human rights activist Hu Jia from prison, subject to ‘supervision’.

By Patricia Adams, Probe International

This Sunday, June 26, 2011 photo released on Monday June 27, by Zeng Jinyan, shows her husband Hu Jia at their home in Beijing, China. Hu, a prominent Chinese political activist imprisoned for inciting subversion of state power, was released on Sunday at the end of his three-and-a-half-year sentence. (Zeng Jinyan)

Zeng Jinyan, the wife of Hu Jia, the Chinese activist who was recently released from a three-and-a-half year prison term for “inciting subversion,” sends this photo, taken Sunday, the day of his release, to show that he is well.

Well-wishers around the world rejoice at their reunion and hope that the current restrictions on Hu Jia’s communication and movement will be lifted and that they will be reunited soon with their 3-1/2-year-old daughter, who is currently in the care of relatives.

According to news reports, Hu Jia and Zeng Jinyan’s home in Beijing is heavily policed at the moment.

Ai Weiwei, China’s most famous artist, who has also been critical of the Chinese government, was released last week from jail after nearly three months of detention. He too has been forced to cut his communications, including Twitter which he used prolifically.

Though neither could be considered “free” men, their release from prison has been greeted with much relief and hope that their opinions about China’s future will soon be shared with their fellow citizens and the world.

Further reading

China confirms dissident faces media ban
Chinese Dissident Released From Prison
Freed critics not a sign China is soft on dissent
China activist Hu Jia under house arrest, wife says
On human rights, China enforces the sound of silence