UN Concerned Over Artist Gao Shan's Case, Criticizes Retroactive Penal Code, Urges Beijing to Release Him
The UN Human Rights Office has expressed concern regarding the trial of Chinese artist Gao Shan, known for his satirical works, citing issues with the retroactive application of laws and suppression of artistic expression. Gao Shan, who moved to the US in 2022, was detained in August 2024 and is awaiting a verdict after his trial concluded on March 30th. The UN urges Beijing to release him and all individuals detained for peacefully exercising their rights.
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- 📰 Published: April 16, 2026 at 11:13
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GENEVA (AFP) — The United Nations on Tuesday expressed concern over the trial of Chinese artist Gao Shan and called on Beijing to release all those detained for peacefully exercising their rights, including Gao, who created works satirizing Mao Zedong.
"We are concerned about the trial of renowned contemporary artist Gao Shan on charges of 'insulting heroes', accusations that relate to satirical sculptures he created more than a decade ago, but for which the charge was only incorporated into law after his works were completed," said UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Seif Magango in a statement.
"This case raises concerns about the retroactive application of criminal law and the use of criminal penalties to suppress artistic expression, which undermines the principle of legality in the rule of law."
Gao, 69, who moved to the United States in 2022, was detained in August 2024 while returning to China at his Beijing suburban studio.
The UN Human Rights Office also expressed concern over reports of Gao's deteriorating health in detention and urged authorities to release him immediately and unconditionally.
Magango said that Gao's closed-door trial ended on March 30th and a verdict is still awaited, during which he remains in detention.
His wife and their 7-year-old son, who holds US citizenship, have also been banned from leaving the country, a travel restriction the UN Human Rights Office urged authorities to lift.
Gao and his brother Gao Qiang gained fame in the early 2000s for their artworks addressing sensitive political topics, including the Cultural Revolution, the Tiananmen Square incident, and Mao Zedong's historical impact.
"It is crucial that this release be unconditional and that all related restrictions on him and his wife, including freedom of movement and expression, be lifted and that they are no longer subject to surveillance," Magango said.
He added, "We also urge China to immediately and unconditionally release all individuals detained for peacefully exercising their rights, including those held under vaguely and broadly defined charges of 'inciting subversion' and 'disrupting public order'." (Compiled by Xu Ruicheng) 1150416
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"We are concerned about the trial of renowned contemporary artist Gao Shan on charges of 'insulting heroes', accusations that relate to satirical sculptures he created more than a decade ago, but for which the charge was only incorporated into law after his works were completed," said UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Seif Magango in a statement.
"This case raises concerns about the retroactive application of criminal law and the use of criminal penalties to suppress artistic expression, which undermines the principle of legality in the rule of law."
Gao, 69, who moved to the United States in 2022, was detained in August 2024 while returning to China at his Beijing suburban studio.
The UN Human Rights Office also expressed concern over reports of Gao's deteriorating health in detention and urged authorities to release him immediately and unconditionally.
Magango said that Gao's closed-door trial ended on March 30th and a verdict is still awaited, during which he remains in detention.
His wife and their 7-year-old son, who holds US citizenship, have also been banned from leaving the country, a travel restriction the UN Human Rights Office urged authorities to lift.
Gao and his brother Gao Qiang gained fame in the early 2000s for their artworks addressing sensitive political topics, including the Cultural Revolution, the Tiananmen Square incident, and Mao Zedong's historical impact.
"It is crucial that this release be unconditional and that all related restrictions on him and his wife, including freedom of movement and expression, be lifted and that they are no longer subject to surveillance," Magango said.
He added, "We also urge China to immediately and unconditionally release all individuals detained for peacefully exercising their rights, including those held under vaguely and broadly defined charges of 'inciting subversion' and 'disrupting public order'." (Compiled by Xu Ruicheng) 1150416
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Text, images, and audio on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.