Alerts & Statements - Chinese Human Rights DefendersChinese Human Rights Defenders

As Obama Arrives in China, Police “Tuck away” Activists for Fear of Contact

November 16, 2009 Comments Off

As Obama Arrives in China, Police “Tuck away” Activists for Fear of Contact (Chinese Human Rights Defenders, November 16, 2009) Police across the country have clamped down on activists, veteran petitioners, and dissidents as US President Obama arrives in China to begin a four-day visit, placing individuals under “soft detention,”[1] (read more…)

Land Rights Activist Liu Zhengyou Criminally Detained on Suspicion of “Fraud”

November 12, 2009 Comments Off

Land Rights Activist Liu Zhengyou Criminally Detained on Suspicion of “Fraud” (Chinese Human Rights Defenders, November 12, 2009) – Around one on November 11, Sichuan activist Liu Zhengyou (刘正有) was taken from his home by local police, and shortly thereafter criminally detained on suspicion of “fraud.” Eight officers also searched (read more…)

Trial of Three Fujian Rights Activists Marred by Irregularities

November 11, 2009 Comments Off

Trial of Three Fujian Rights Activists Marred by Irregularities Case Hinges on Internet Reporting; Free Speech on Trial (Chinese Human Rights Defenders, November 11, 2009) – A Fuzhou court tried three human rights activists—Fan Yanqiong (范燕琼), Wu Huaying (吴华英), and You Jingyou (游精佑)—for “making false accusations” this afternoon in Fujian (read more…)

Several Activists and Dissidents Languish in Detention despite Serious Illnesses

November 5, 2009 Comments Off

Several Activists and Dissidents Languish in Detention despite Serious Illnesses Yang Tongyan’s case highlights official practice to delay or deny requests for release for treatment (Chinese Human Rights Defenders, November 5, 2009) – Several cases that CHRD has recently documented, including the latest news that imprisoned dissident writer Yang Tongyan (read more…)

Torture Victim Denied Justice as Authorities Refuse to Investigate Allegations

November 2, 2009 Comments Off

Torture Victim Denied Justice as Authorities Refuse to Investigate Allegations (Chinese Human Rights Defenders, November 2, 2009)- It has been nearly three years since Wang Jinyong (王进勇) was allegedly subjected to eight days and nights of torture while in police custody in Linyi City, Shandong Province. And yet, despite clear (read more…)

Has China Relaxed Media Control since the Beijing Olympics?

October 20, 2009 Comments Off

Has China Relaxed Media Control since the Beijing Olympics? Synopsis of a Recent CHRD-Assisted Report on Evolving Trends in Public Discourse, Released Last Week (in Chinese Only) The Olympic Games did not prove to be a catalyst for increased media freedom domestically as some had hoped. However, as this new (read more…)

Deaths Highlight Continued Problem of Torture, Poor Oversight in Detention Facilities

October 6, 2009 Comments Off

Deaths Highlight Continued Problem of Torture, Poor Oversight in Detention Facilities (Chinese Human Rights Defenders, October 6, 2009) CHRD has recently learned of three cases of individuals who died allegedly as a result of torture or ill-treatment while in custody, cases which highlight continued problems with the management of detention (read more…)

Chinese Government Tightens the Screws Ahead of National Day

September 30, 2009 Comments Off

Chinese Government Tightens the Screws Ahead of National Day (Chinese Human Rights Defenders, September 30, 2009) – On the eve of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Chinese government has implemented a number of drastic repressive measures to increase its control over citizens’ (read more…)

Chengdu Police and Court Flout Law in “Truly Disgraceful” Trial of Tan Zuoren

September 30, 2009 Comments Off

Chengdu Police and Court Flout Law in “Truly Disgraceful” Trial of Tan Zuoren CHRD Protests Beating and Detention of Witnesses, Abuse of Tan’s Legal Rights (Chinese Human Rights Defenders- August 12, 2009) As more information about today’s trial of Tan Zuoren (谭作人) for “inciting subversion of state power” becomes available, (read more…)

‘Investigation Period’ Extended for Detained Activist Intellectual Liu Xiaobo

September 30, 2009 Comments Off

‘Investigation Period’ Extended for Detained Activist Intellectual Liu Xiaobo (Chinese Human Rights Defenders, September 1, 2009) – On August 31, detained Beijing writer and intellectual Liu Xiaobo (刘晓波) met with his lawyers Ding Xihui (丁锡奎) and Shang Baojun (尚宝军) for the third time since his detention began last December. The (read more…)

Debarred Lawyer Tortured and Arrested in Northeastern China

August 27, 2009 Comments Off

Debarred Lawyer Tortured and Arrested in Northeastern China (Chinese Huma Rights Defenders, August 27, 2009)- CHRD learned today that Wang Yonghang (王永航), a former lawyer from Dalian City, Liaoning Province, has been formally arrested for “using a cult to damage social and legal system”. When Wang was taken into police (read more…)

Police Bar Public from Attending Trial of Earthquake Investigator Tan Zuoren

August 12, 2009 Comments Off

Police Bar Public from Attending Trial of Earthquake Investigator Tan Zuoren (Chinese Human Rights Defenders, August 12, 2009)– Tan Zuoren (谭作人), a Sichuan activist detained for “inciting subversion of state power”, was tried today by the Chengdu City Intermediate People’s Court in Sichuan Province. The trial was practically closed to (read more…)