Dear President Costa,

I am Lyu Zhanqiu, a former software engineer and human rights advocate from China (ID Number: xxx). I write to you not only as a political exile, but also as a father — deeply concerned for the safety and well-being of my family, who remain under persecution by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

On February 17, 2023, I was illegally detained, interrogated, subjected to a body search, and held under inhumane conditions after peacefully questioning the legality of police actions. Under the CCP's authoritarian system, the police, prosecutors, and courts are tightly interconnected, forming a single oppressive mechanism that denies all judicial remedies to those who challenge the regime. I was under constant surveillance, and any attempt to seek legal redress meant facing further arrest, torture, and persecution. With no hope of justice, I was forced into exile on July 16, 2023.

The persecution extends beyond me to my family. My nearly 80-year-old father, who is almost completely blind, urgently requires care. My son, a law-abiding university graduate, has been targeted for my activism, losing his job and facing a travel ban that prevents him from leaving China. The regime's relentless pressure has caused him severe psychological trauma, and their situation worsens daily. Without urgent action, the consequences could be dire.  

Mr. President, as you prepare to visit China this month for the 50th anniversary of EU-China relations, I urge you to uphold Europe's proud legacy of defending human rights, freedom, and the rule of law, as enshrined in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. The European Union, comprising 27 democratic nations, stands as a beacon of liberty and justice. The EU has a moral and historical duty to champion these principles when systematically violated by authoritarian regimes.

Under Xi Jinping's leadership, the CCP has intensified its suppression of dissent, such as censoring free speech, tightened surveillance, and normalized political persecution, worsening human rights conditions in China. Failing to address these violations during your visit risks undermining the EU's commitment to human rights. I respectfully urge you to raise these concerns with the CCP and take the following actions:

1. Demand an end to retaliatory actions against my family, including the cessation of harassment and surveillance.

2. Urge the CCP to lift the travel ban on my son, allowing him to seek safety and rebuild his life.

3. Express grave concern over China's worsening human rights situation, including arbitrary detentions and restrictions on freedom of expression.

4. Support targeted accountability measures, such as Magnitsky-style sanctions or UN human rights reviews, to address ongoing violations of international norms.

This is not only about one family but about standing against authoritarianism and reaffirming the values Europe holds dear. The world is watching. I hope the European Union will uphold its commitment to human rights over diplomatic considerations. Thank you for considering this urgent appeal, and I trust in your leadership to act.

Sincerely,
Lyu Zhanqiu
Exiled Human Rights Defender from China
July 9, 2025