Student’s alleged jailing in China over Australian pro-democracy protests sparks calls for inquiry

A student sits next to the quadrangle at the University of Sydney. Australia’s human rights commissioner has called on the Albanese government to introduce a dedicated parliamentary inquiry into transnational repression after reports a student was allegedly jailed in China for joining protests in Sydney. Photograph: Paul Miller/AAP

Australia’s human rights commissioner has said the Chinese student who was allegedly jailed for six years by Chinese authorities for joining protests in Sydney underscores the “very real and growing risks of transnational repression affecting people in Australia – including international students”.

Commissioner Lorraine Finlay told Guardian Australia that while she could not comment on the circumstances of individual cases “no one should fear punishment abroad for exercising their lawful rights to free expression and peaceful protest here”.