In the Press | Chinese Human Rights Defenders

BBC World Service Interview on China’s Ethnic Unity Law

July 1, 2026 Comments Off

https://www.nchrd.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/NewshourChina.mp3

When Internships Enable Child Labor in China

May 22, 2026 Comments Off

A 16-year-old vocational student arrived at a factory in Kunshan, Jiangsu Province, for an internship. He worked 11-hour shifts – days and nights, weekdays and weekends – processing car parts. A 17-year-old began an internship at a technology company’s factory in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, logging more than 10 hours a (read more…)

Report: China’s Lax Enforcement of Child Labor Laws

May 21, 2026 Comments Off

The Chinese government is failing to protect children under 18 from hazardous work conditions in mandatory vocational internships, the Network of Chinese Human Rights Defenders, or CHRD, said today in a new report. Despite domestic legislation prohibiting unsafe work conditions for minors, child labor abuses persist in regions throughout the (read more…)

Trump’s lack of focus on human rights in China is big departure for US diplomacy

May 15, 2026 Comments Off

“These are very, very difficult times for human rights defenders,” said Sophie Richardson, the co-executive director of Chinese Human Rights Defenders, an NGO. “I don’t think any democratic government has really kept pace in its interventions with Beijing.”

Chinese Artist Gao Zhen Tried Over “Defamation of National Heroes” Charge

April 20, 2026 Comments Off

His wife, Zhao Yaliang, and Shane Yi from the Chinese Human Rights Defenders group said the trial was held on Monday at a court in Sanhe City, Hebei province, near Beijing. The proceedings were conducted behind closed doors and ended without a verdict, based on information from Gao’s lawyers.

Art on trial – a sculptor’s arrest highlights new extremes for censorship in China

April 19, 2026 Comments Off

“Artists and writers have long been in the Chinese government’s crosshairs – but the authorities are now extending that reach beyond physical borders,” says Sophie Richardson, a spokesperson for the Network of Chinese Human Rights Defenders advocacy group.

UN human rights office raises concern around trial of Chinese dissident artist

April 15, 2026 Comments Off

GENEVA, April 15 (Reuters) – The United Nations human rights office on Wednesday said it was concerned by the trial of Chinese dissident artist Gao Zhen, famous ‌for making provocative satirical sculptures of former leader Mao Zedong.

Dissident artist on trial in China for satirical Mao sculptures, rights group says

March 31, 2026 Comments Off

BEIJING — Chinese dissident artist Gao Zhen, famous for making provocative satirical sculptures of former leader Mao Zedong, was tried Monday on accusations of “defaming national heroes and martyrs,” his wife and a rights group said.

Chinese Artist Gao Zhen Faces Closed-Door Trial for Satirical Mao Sculptures

March 31, 2026 Comments Off

Chinese artist Gao Zhen, known for his irreverent sculptures of Mao Zedong, is facing a closed-door trial in China on charges of ‘defaming revolutionary martyrs.’ Gao, who has been detained for over a year and a half, could face up to 3 years in prison if convicted. The case highlights (read more…)

The secret trial of a Chinese artist accused of mocking Mao Zedong

March 31, 2026 Comments Off

A Chinese artist known for his provocative and irreverent sculptures of Mao Zedong is facing trial on suspicion of slandering the country’s heroes in a case underlining how little criticism is allowed under China’s leader, Xi Jinping.

Dissident artist on trial in China for satirical Mao sculptures, says rights group

March 30, 2026 Comments Off

BEIJING, March 30 (Reuters) – Chinese dissident artist Gao Zhen, famous for making provocative satirical sculptures of former leader Mao Zedong, was tried on Monday over accusations ‌of “defaming national heroes and martyrs”, his wife and a rights group said.

Dissident artist on trial in China for satirical Mao sculptures, says rights group

March 30, 2026 Comments Off

BEIJING – Chinese dissident artist Gao Zhen, famous for making provocative satirical sculptures of the People’s Republic of China’s founding leader Mao Zedong, was tried on March 30 over accusations of “defaming national heroes and martyrs”, a rights group said.