Sydney | Chinese Human Rights Defenders

[CHRB] Chinese Authorities Resort to Violence Against Human Rights Defenders (5/ 9-14, 2013)

May 14, 2013 Comments Off

During a particularly brutal spate of violence against human rights defenders, authorities have physically assaulted many activists and lawyers, some of whom have been hurt by thugs and officers. Sichuan-based activist and blogger Chen Yunfei (陈云飞) was attacked by four “thugs” and suffered numerous injuries and even a possible concussion. (read more…)

Lobsang Jinpa (洛桑金巴)

May 10, 2013 Comments Off

Lobsang Jinpa, a monk at the Nyitso Zilkar monastery in the Tridu region of Keygudo in Qinghai, was sentenced to five years in prison on unknown charges in February 2013. The sentence appears to be politically motivated, and in retaliation for his alleged role in protesting Chinese authorities’ policies and (read more…)

Lolo (洛洛)

May 10, 2013 Comments Off

A popular Tibetan singer, Lolo was sent to prison in February 2013 in apparent retaliation for releasing a music album titled “Raise the Tibetan Flag, Children of the Snowland.” The song lyrics are political in nature, and refer to Tibetan independence, the national flag, the Dalai Lama, and Tibetans who (read more…)

[CHRB] Update: New Detentions, Arrests of Anti-Corruption Campaigners (5/2-8, 2013)

May 9, 2013 Comments Off

In a sign of an escalating crackdown on free expression, three activists in Beijing have been arrested and at least one in Jiangxi Province criminally detained for public disclosure of top officials’ financial assets. On May 7, Yuan Dong (袁冬), Zhang Baocheng (张宝成), and Ma Xinli (马新立) were formally arrested (read more…)

Submission to UN on Lü Jiangbo – April 26, 2013

May 7, 2013 Comments Off

Submission to: Working Group on Arbitrary Detention Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association Allegation Letter on behalf of Lü Jiangbo, citizen (read more…)

[CHRB] Police Torture Activists Involved in Anti-Corruption Campaign (4/26-5/1, 2013)

May 2, 2013 Comments Off

On April 27, police in Jiangxi Province tortured at least two activists—a married couple—after taking several people into custody, raiding homes, and confiscating property in Xinyu City. While holding Liu Xizhen (刘喜珍), police slapped her face so hard that it became swollen, and also cuffed Liu to an iron chair (read more…)

Submission to UN on Xia Junfeng – April 17, 2013

May 1, 2013 Comments Off

To: Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary, or Arbitrary Executions Questionnaire of the Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary, or Arbitrary Executions Completed by Chinese Human Rights Defenders On behalf of Xia Junfeng, Citizen of People’s Republic of China April 17, 2013 I. Identity of the person concerned: 1. Family name: (read more…)

[CHRB] Responding to Quake, Activists Blocked by Authorities (4/19-25, 2013)

April 25, 2013 Comments Off

Authorities have restricted the movements of several individuals after the recent earthquake in Sichuan Province. On April 20, the day the quake hit, police prevented Chengdu activists from reaching the stricken area in Ya’an City, and several ethnic Tibetans were blocked as well after setting out to assist quake victims. (read more…)

Pei Fugui (裴富贵)

April 19, 2013 Comments Off

Activist Pei Fugui (裴富贵), who founded “Petitioners’ House” in Beijing to provide services to petitioners, was given a 15-month Re-education through Labor (RTL) punishment in September 2012, on a charge of “creating a disturbance.” The punishment is in apparent retaliation for his long-term charitable efforts and anti-corruption work.

Chinese Authorities Must Release Activists, End Escalating Crackdown on Free Expression

April 19, 2013 Comments Off

Police in China have begun detaining activists, lawyers, and ordinary citizens in an apparently coordinated crackdown triggered by advocacy aimed against official corruption and other politically sensitive issues. Authorities have seized activists in Beijing who, under the rubric of the “New Citizens Movement,” have organized a petition drive to demand (read more…)

China Bans Media Coverage of Labor Camp Ordeal

April 18, 2013 Comments Off

Censors in Beijing have blocked information about a labor camp in northeastern China after an expose in a cutting-edge magazine brought to light abuses of women inmates, many of them pregnant.

Chen Guangcheng Speaks At Princeton About Human Rights

April 18, 2013 Comments Off

Chinese civil rights activist Chen Guangcheng recently spoke at Princeton University, holding that “the battle for human rights is far from complete.” Almost a year after making international headlines for his sensational escape from house arrest where, helped by a secret network of fellow civil rights activists, he made his (read more…)