Labor activists who helped workers fight for their rights were arrested in China. A Guangzhou labor organizer and three other individuals were charged with disturbing social order.
Reuters reported, that Zeng Feiyang, director of the Panyu Migrant Workers Center was officially arrested in China. Cheng Zhunqiang, Zeng's lawyer, also said the Zhu Xiaomei and Meng Han were also arrested on the same charge. The prosecutors did not explain to the lawyer why Feiyang, Xiaomei, and Han were charged.
According to the New York-based China Labor Watch, He Xiaobo was also arrested on charges of embezzlement. Reuters tried asking for a comment regarding these arrests but Guangzhou's Panyu district made no response. Other news agency also tried calling the government seeking a comment, but China remained silent on such matter.
These four activists were also reported to be among those several southern China labor activists who were detained last year. President Xi Jinping has already detained numbers of journalists and people who fight for their rights in the country. Lawyers who defend these advocates were also arrested. Last summer, dozens of individuals of the so-called rights-defense movement were also detained. The government said that these people tried manipulating public opinion and influencing rulings. The said arrests usually lead to a trial.
Also, back in December, seven labor activists were also detained. These arrests sparked criticism from different right groups all over the world. Meanwhile, Chen reported that the two of them were already released. Last week, China Labor Bulletin reported that the number of arrests has doubled since 2014.
These arrests on dissents are said to be the most aggressive move made by the government of China in the last two decades. China's economy was reported to be slowing down. Thus, labor disputes erupted and many people were asking the government to listen to their pleas.
Zeng Feiyang is considered to be one of the most prominent labor activists. He is fighting for legal rights of the workers, such as social insurance contributions and proper work contracts. Zheng was also charged to be having, at least, eight long-term lovers. His supporters called such charged a tactic to taint his reputation.
