A Chinese activist who dared say “We don’t want the Olympics, we want human rights” has been jailed for five years. Yet more proof – did you need any? – that freedom of speech is an anomaly in China.

Yang Chunlin, a former factory worker, has been convicted of “inciting subversion of state power” after helping landless farmers with a petition.

Reuters said prosecutors claimed Yang Chunlin’s petition had stained China’s international image.

The wire agency quoted his sister, Yang Chunping, saying:

“He said he's not guilty, and he was just exercising his freedom of speech and publication. But because courts lack legitimacy he said there was no use in appealing."

Laughably, a few weeks back China's Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi claimed people in his country had extensive freedom of speech. He said it was ridiculous to suggest someone would be arrested for saying human rights were more important than the Olympics.

He added that Chinese citizens were welcome to lecture police officers on the need to protect human rights:

"If they've been talking for too long and get tired, the officer will offer him a cup of tea.”

Tell that to Yang Chunlin, his lawyer, his family and his friends.

Later this week the verdict is expected in the case of activist Hu Jia, who was dragged from his home by police in December. Hu Jia, who not long before his arrest spoke via webcam to an European parliamentary hearing about human rights in China, has been charged with "subverting state authority".

During his three-hour trial last week his lawyer was reportedly allotted just 20 minutes for a defence.

The Age reported:

“As evidence of his crimes, prosecutors presented six essays and two interviews with foreign radio networks by Hu...

In one interview, he compared the Chinese Communist Party to the Mafia. He urged better protection for AIDS patients, more religious freedom and increased autonomy for Tibet."

Last year Hu Jia and lawyer Teng Biao – who has also been harassed and detained by authorities - published an article about human rights in China.

The article goes:

“Perhaps you will come to Beijing for the Olympics. If you do, you’ll see tall skyscrapers, broad boulevards, modern sports facilities, and a passionate people. What you’ll see is real, but it’s not the whole picture. It is just like seeing a glacier at sea. You may not know it, but some of these fresh flowers and smiles, this harmony and prosperity are built on abuses, tears, imprisonment, torture, and spilled blood.”