Human rights price for XU Zhangrun: Voice of freedom under pressure!

Human rights price for XU Zhangrun: Voice of freedom under pressure!

Erlangen, Deutschland - On May 6, 2025, Xu Zhangrun, a prominent critical thinker and human rights activist, was awarded the Human Rights Prize of the Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU). XU, former professor at the Tsinghua University in Beijing, was unable to take part in the award ceremony due to his difficult life situation in China. He lives under strict surveillance and must not leave Beijing without permission, which severely limits his academic and personal freedom. These aspects were in the laudation of Prof. Dr. Eva Pils emphasized, which also emphasized the political relevance of Xus Werk.

The Human Rights Prize has been awarded every two years to international personalities every two years, which are characterized by commitment to human rights. Xu Zhangrun's commitment to democracy and freedom of expression as well as his critical attitude towards autocratic injustice in China were recognized as particularly outstanding. His important work in the area of ​​constitutional law and human rights is known for the fact that it is literally demanding and politically shaking.

academic career and persecution

XU Zhangrun, born in October 1962, has conclusions from several universities, including a doctorate in legal philosophy from the University of Melbourne. Until 2018 he was a professor of legal philosophy and constitutional law at the Tsinghua University and received the university's highest research prize in 2002. His commitment to freedom of expression led to great resistance on the part of the authorities.

his writings, especially since 2018, led to massive repression. The essay "Imminent Fears, Immediate Hopes" resulted in XU forced to leave its hometown, and he subsequently experienced a week in custody. These experiences are part of a greater pattern of state control and surveillance in China, which according to some reports and opinions puts the population into an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.

International Echo

his commitment and persecution status have also caused international reactions. Authorities from the USA and the European Union warned the release XU Zhangruns and other legal activists under pressure from the Chinese government. The FAU Vice President Prof. Dr. Andreas Hirsch symbolically put the price on an empty chair to illustrate the absence of the award winner and draw attention to the restrictive conditions under which XU lives.

The understanding of the situation and the challenges with which dissidents such as XU are confronted is reinforced by the reports of the social control system in China. This system is often presented as a metaphor for comprehensive monitoring, which corresponds to popular narratives in western perception. In fact, however, it is comparatively complex and is not the only measure that the Chinese government uses to control its population.

The award ceremony took place in the hall of the Center for Human Rights Erlangen-Nuremberg (Chren). The previous exchange about Xu Zhangrun's political essay shows how his work has not only received considerable attention in China, but also internationally and serves as a source of inspiration for further discussions about democracy and human rights.