Journalist Yu Dongyue was released on 22 February after having been in prison for 16 years. He was arrested during the student demonstrations in China in 1989.

“This is very heartening and a step in the right direction for human rights in China,” said State Secretary Raymond Johansen of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At the same time Mr Johansen expressed concern for the 70 prisoners of conscience who, according to Reports Without Borders, are still in prison for having participated in the demonstrations in 1989.

Norway has raised the case of Yu Dongyue with the Chinese authorities on several occasions, most recently in connection with the working session on human rights with China in Oslo in January.

The working session in January is part of the human rights dialogue between Norway and China. Representatives from more than 30 Norwegian and Chinese institutions participated in the meeting, which focused among other things on the rights of prisoners and detainees.