Zhang Zhan Received the “Outstanding Contribution to Human Rights Award”. Zhang Jing Delivered a Speech at the Award Ceremony

By Jing Zhang (WRIC)                                          12-28-2025

 

In addition to Zhang Zhan, Ho Kwai-Lan from Hong Kong and Ming Ju-Cheng from Taiwan were also awarded the “Outstanding Contribution to Human Rights Award”.

 

Distinguished Chairman and Directors of the Chinese Democratic Education Foundation (CDEF), honored guests, and fellow colleagues:

Greetings to you all!

 

Today, on behalf of Ms. Zhang Zhan—who is currently suffering in a Chinese prison—I accept this profound honor: the 2025 “Outstanding Human Rights Contribution Award” presented by the Chinese Democratic Education Foundation. This distinction is a direct response to a warrior who fights for the freedom and sacrificed herself for the noble cause. It is also the most powerful and steadfast support for those “prisoners of conscience” in China who silently endure loneliness and suffering in prison, unable to speak for themselves.

 

President Feng Congde introduced the recipients of the “Outstanding Human Rights Contribution Award”—Ho Kwai-lan from Hong Kong, Zhang Zhan from China, and Ming Ju-cheng from Taiwan.

Zhang Jing, founder of the Women’s Rights in China, delivers a speech at the awards ceremony. (Image from the Democracy Education Foundation)

 

The photos (from left to right) show: Chen Chuangchuang, Zhao Changqing, Zhang Jing, Zhou Junhong, Zhou Fengsuo, and Zheng Yun. (Photos provided by Xuguang Wei)

 

A group photo of the foundation’s former and current board members, as well as guests invited to give speeches and accept the medals on their behalf. (Photo provided by Xuguang Wei)

 

Zhang Zhan, currently serving her sentence in prison, is unaware at this moment that she has been honored once again, nor can she come here in person to share this glory. For those who have lost their freedom under an authoritarian regime, her lack of knowledge may perhaps spare her from heightened mental and physical retaliation that such recognition often triggers within prison walls. However, I believe the power of this award can penetrate the distant iron gates and high walls, allowing Zhang Zhan to feel encouraged and warmed: across the ocean, all the colleagues of the Democratic Education Foundation share a heartbeat that resonates in harmony with hers.

Taking this opportunity, please allow me to briefly introduce Ms. Zhang Zhan.

Born in 1983, Zhang Zhan graduated from Southwestern University of Finance and Economics with a master’s degree. She served as a lawyer and a citizen journalist. In 2015, she was baptized as a Christian. Since 2018, she has been detained multiple times. The longest instance was in September 2019, when she used WeChat to forward information regarding the “Anti-Extradition Law” protests in Hong Kong and held a large umbrella on the streets of Shanghai with the words “Communist Party Step Down” written on it. Consequently, she was criminally detained by Shanghai police for 65 days. After her release, this woman—who could have lived a stable life in a prosperous city—chose the most difficult and perilous path.

In 2020, when Wuhan was mired in the panic and lockdown of the pandemic, Zhang Zhan traveled alone against the tide. She used her camera to record the truth of the lockdown and filmed the government’s trampling of human rights. With her fragile shoulders, she took up the great responsibility of morality, becoming one of the “kindling carriers” providing warmth to others in the bitter cold. For this, she was convicted of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” and sentenced to four years. After her release in 2024, she continued to promote human rights, tell the truth, and assist other activists. Three months later, she was detained again. In September 2025, the Chinese government used the “pocket crime” of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” to sentence her to another four-year term.

AZhang Zhan once said: “The problem of this country is a systemic one. Freedom is never free. I hope this country changes. I feel we should walk on bravely and persevere.”

Over the years, Zhang Zhan’s story has spread throughout the international community. In addition to this award, she has received honors from numerous overseas human rights organizations. In June 2023, the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) nominated three Chinese human rights figures as candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize, and Zhang Zhan was among them. Nominated alongside her were Peng Lifa, the protester on Beijing’s Sitong Bridge, and Li Kangmeng, the female student who acted bravely during the “White Paper Movement.” The Commission emphasized in its statement: “The courage of these heroes deserves to be honored by the whole world, and the international community must demand their unconditional release.”

Zhang Zhan’s experience is a microcosm of the thousands upon thousands of guardians of conscience since the establishment of the CCP. From Lin Zhao to Zhang Zhan, and many more unnamed women, they have paid a tragic price on the road to human rights, democracy, and freedom in China. They have sacrificed their youth and lost the joy of family life. Among them are mothers, daughters, and wives; they burn themselves to light up the dark night, leaving themselves covered in wounds.

Zhang Zhan once said: “As people who pay attention to the truth of this country, if we only stop at sadness without taking action to change this sad reality, then our emotions are cheap.”

Our sister Zhang Zhan, though imprisoned, is not sad because she is guided by her faith. Nor is she alone, because in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Australia, voices are shouting alongside her across the globe. There are also many friends “walking the Way of the Cross with Sister Zhang Zhan,” passing on warmth through their actions. Prison can lock up Zhang Zhan’s body, but it cannot lock up the blessings and praise people have for her. It is everyone’s wish: Hold on, Sister! We are waiting for you to come home healthy.

I believe that if Zhang Zhan had the opportunity, she would surely come here in person to thank the colleagues of the Democratic Education Foundation, as well as all the fellow travelers and friends who are willing to “walk the Way of the Cross” with her.

Finally, I am deeply honored to accept this distinction on behalf of Ms. Zhang Zhan today. Once again, I thank the Board of Directors and all colleagues of the Democratic Education Foundation for honoring her. I am also proud of and pay my highest respects to Ms. He Guilan (Gwyneth Ho), who is currently in a Hong Kong prison, and Mr. Ming Juzheng, who has long spared no effort in promoting the ideals of democracy and freedom. Thank you all!

 

(Zhang Zhan is currently detained in the First Ward of the Shanghai Women’s Prison—the first stop for female prisoners’ reform, also known as the New Prisoner Area. Address: No. 1601 Zhangjing Road, Sijing Town, Songjiang District, Shanghai. Postcode: 201601)

 

 

Zhang Jing poses for a photo with Feng Congde, president of the China National Democratic Foundation, at the award ceremony held at the Father of the Democracy Memorial Hall. (Photo provided by the Women’s Committee of the Independent Chinese PEN Center)