China Human Rights Briefings | Chinese Human Rights Defenders

[CHRB] Activists’ Trials Possible During Holidays & Proposed Amendments to China’s Criminal Law (12/4-11/2014)

December 11, 2014 Comments Off

Five activists and lawyers seized since the spring of 2013 may face trial around Christmas, a common government tactic in recent years, intended to deflect international attention. Tibetan activist Tenzin Choedak died on December 5 in Lhasa City, two days after he was released after serving less than six years (read more…)

[CHRB] Beijing Police Detain Outspoken Intellectuals, Close 2 Independent Groups (11/21-12/4, 2014)

December 4, 2014 Comments Off

In strident moves meant to further silence government critics, Beijing authorities have shuttered the Transition Institute, an independent research group, and also the Liren Group, which runs a private school and independent libraries, while detaining several individuals affiliated with these groups as well as other independent writers. Elsewhere, over the (read more…)

[CHRB] China Must Free Journalist Gao Yu and Others Detained during June Fourth Anniversary Crackdown as They Face Trial (11/15-20/2014)

November 20, 2014 Comments Off

Gao Yu (高瑜), Pu Zhiqiang (浦志强), and Tang Jingling (唐荆陵), arrested in the suppression surrounding around this year’s June Fourth anniversary, will face trial imminently, with court proceedings in Ms. Gao’s case scheduled to begin this Friday. Meanwhile, Guangdong activist Wang Mo (王默), detained as a part of the crackdown (read more…)

[CHRB] Arbitrary Detentions & Restrictions for “Harmonious” APEC & Over 100 Detentions Tied to Hong Kong (11/7-14/2014)

November 14, 2014 Comments Off

Anhui authorities have detained two activists after the Washington Post interviewed them. Authorities tightened restrictions on the movement of dissidents, activists, and petitioners in Beijing during the APEC Forum, and lawyers representing two detained activists have faced apparent reprisals for handling “politically sensitive” cases. CHRD has confirmed that 101 individuals (read more…)

[CHRB] Women’s Rights Defenders Face Reprisals Over UN Review (10/31-11/6/2014)

November 6, 2014 Comments Off

Two women’s rights activists have faced reprisals for drawing attention to—or planning to contribute to—the review of China by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, which took place on October 23. At the review itself, the All-China Women’s Federation, a government-run body, posed as a “non-governmental (read more…)

[CHRB] Guangzhou’s New Restrictions on NGOs & UN Experts Call For Release of Detained Chinese Journalist (10/17-30/2014)

October 30, 2014 Comments Off

Draft rules on the prohibition of “illegal” civil society organizations in Guangzhou were released on October 20, leading to protests from civil society organizations. CHRD launched a focus campaign tracking the suppression of individuals after they supported the protests demanding genuine universal suffrage in Hong Kong. The UN Working Group (read more…)

[CHRB] Discrimination against Women in China under UN Review; More Detained for Backing Hong Kong Protests (10/10-16/2014)

October 16, 2014 Comments Off

On October 23, the UN Committee on Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) will review China’s implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. CHRD jointly submitted a report assessing the conditions in key areas of women’s rights with a coalition of Chinese NGOs. (read more…)

[CHRB] Beijing’s Newest Crackdown: Update on Detentions of Mainland Supporters of HK Protests (10/2-9/2014)

October 9, 2014 Comments Off

Into the second week of demonstrations in Hong Kong demanding universal suffrage, police across China have taken into custody dozens of activists, petitioners, artists, and others who had posted messages online or gathered to show support for the protestors. CHRD has now documented more than 40 cases in total, with (read more…)

[CHRB] Activists Across China Detained for Supporting Democracy Protests in Hong Kong (9/19-10/1/2014)

October 1, 2014 Comments Off

Many Chinese citizens have faced reprisals for supporting the protests in Hong Kong, as police are concerned that they may try to travel to Hong Kong or take to streets to protest. Tibetan student Lhamo Tashi (拉莫扎西) died from his injuries after self-immolating on September 17 in Gansu Province, the (read more…)

[CHRB] (2/28-3/6/2014) Activist Detained After Attending Human Rights Training; Cao Shunli Still in Critical Condition

March 6, 2014 Comments Off

Activist Cao Shunli (曹顺利), whose health status has grown life-threatening, remains in critical condition though her health has improved slightly following urgent medical intervention. Being treated at 309 Military Hospital, Cao has reportedly been able to move her eyes and her fever is gone, according to Cao’s family and close (read more…)

[CHRB] (2/14-27/2014) Police Beat Former Masanjia Labor Camp Detainees, Uyghur Scholar Arrested

February 27, 2014 Comments Off

Police recently beat three former detainees from the notorious Masanjia Women’s Re-education through Labor camp when they tried to petition authorities in Liaoning Province. The women, Liu Hua (刘华), Hao Wei (郝威), and Jia Fengzhen (贾风珍), entered the Ministry building to register the names of the group but ended up (read more…)

[CHRB] New Cases of Forced Psychiatric Commitment, Detentions of Prominent Writer & Democracy Activist (9/12-18/2014)

September 17, 2014 Comments Off

Two individuals—a blogger and an activist—are being involuntary held inside psychiatric institutions. Their detentions constitute a deprivation of liberty that directly violates China’s Mental Health Law. Meanwhile, Hangzhou police criminally detained China Democracy Party (CDP) member Chen Shuqing (陈树庆) on September 11 on suspicion of “subversion of state power.” Several (read more…)