Alerts & Statements - Chinese Human Rights DefendersChinese Human Rights Defenders

Activist Zhou Weilin Named First Recipient of Cao Shunli Memorial Award for Human Rights Defenders

March 14, 2015 Comments Off

Activist Zhou Weilin (周维林) has been named the first recipient of the Cao Shunli Memorial Award for Human Rights Defenders, selected by three Chinese groups sponsoring the award. The award committee, made up of three Mainland-based NGOs—Human Rights Campaign in China, Civil Rights & Livelihood Watch, and Rights Defense Network—announced (read more…)

China’s Problems With Torture & Impunity for Torturers

February 17, 2015 Comments Off

Torture and mistreatment of detainees is endemic in China, CHRD has reported to the UN Committee Against Torture (CAT). The Chinese government has taken very few measures that are effective in combating acts of torture and instead provides impunity for alleged perpetrators of torture. CHRD raised these and other concerns (read more…)

China: Revise draft anti-terrorism law to protect freedom of expression, association and dissent

January 22, 2015 Comments Off

(Geneva) – Chinese authorities should withdraw or substantially revise a proposed counter-terrorism law which could be used to further monitor, censor and criminalise the work of human rights defenders and pro-democracy activists, the International Service for Human Rights and Chinese Human Rights Defenders said in a joint statement today. ‘China’s draft Anti-Terrorism Act contains (read more…)

Free Guo Feixiong and Sun Desheng: Cases Rife With Injustice

November 27, 2014 Comments Off

CHRD calls on Chinese authorities to immediately and unconditionally release activists Guo Feixiong (郭飞雄) and Sun Desheng (孙德胜), who face trial at the Tianhe District People’s Court in Guangzhou on November 28. Guo and Sun took part in anti-corruption and free speech demonstrations in early 2013, and were later arrested (read more…)

CHRD Releases “We can Beat You to Death With Impunity,” a report about secret detention & abuse of women in China’s black jails

October 21, 2014 Comments Off

CHRD has released a new report, “We can Beat You to Death With Impunity:” Secret Detention & Abuse of Women in China’s “Black Jails”. The report examines widespread detention in extralegal facilities known as “black jails,” and particularly abuses against women locked up in the facilities, where roughly 80% of (read more…)

CHRD Sends Letter to International Olympic Committee Regarding Rights Violations Around Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympics

September 29, 2014 Comments Off

The Network of Chinese Human Rights Activists (CHRD) sent a letter to the International Olympic Committee in order to draw the attention of the IOC to the suppression of Chinese citizens’ rights in the lead up to, and surrounding, the Nanjing Youth Olympics held on August 16-28, 2014.

A Nightmarish Year Under Xi Jinping’s “Chinese Dream”: 2013 Annual Report on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders in China

March 3, 2014 Comments Off

Human rights defenders in China experienced a tumultuous year of suppression in 2013 while continuing to demonstrate remarkable strength and extraordinary courage, as documented in CHRD’s annual report, A Nightmarish Year Under Xi Jinping’s “Chinese Dream,” released today. In speaking with CHRD, dozens of Chinese activists have described 2013 as (read more…)

CHRD Condemns Sentencing of Uyghur Scholar Ilham Tohti to Life in Prison

September 23, 2014 Comments Off

The Urumqi City Intermediate People’s Court sentenced Uyghur scholar Ilham Tohti (伊力哈木.土赫提) today to life in prison for the crime of “splittism.” CHRD condemns the persecution of Ilham Tohti for his peaceful advocacy for the equal rights of ethnic Uyghur people in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Ilham’s nine-month detention (read more…)

Detained Activist Cao Shunli in Intensive Care After Authorities Repeatedly Deny Treatment

February 20, 2014 Comments Off

CHRD is alarmed by reports that detained activist Cao Shunli (曹顺利) is in critical condition following denials and a long delay in treatment by authorities at Chaoyang District Detention Center. Cao was taken to the intensive-care unit of Beijing’s Qinghe Emergency Center four days ago, and is reportedly very frail. (read more…)

Travesty of Justice – Beijing’s Show Trials of Civil Society Leaders Xu Zhiyong, Zhao Changqing, & Others

January 23, 2014 Comments Off

A Beijing court held a closed door trial of prominent Chinese civil society leader, Xu Zhiyong (许志永). Seized in the Crackdown on Assembly, Association, and Expression, Xu along with dozens of activists, lawyers, and citizen journalists have been detained for demanding top officials disclose their wealth.

Chinese Government Lacks the Qualifications for Membership on UN Human Rights Council

November 7, 2013 Comments Off

Chinese Human Rights Defenders is concerned that the government of China, which is seeking a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) for a third time, has clearly failed to comply with the standards established by the UN General Assembly. CHRD urges UN Member States to take into (read more…)

Activist Chen Jianfang Disappeared, Police Raided Residence – Chinese Authorities Intensify Reprisals Ahead of UN Human Rights Council Election

November 5, 2013 Comments Off

CHRD is deeply concerned about the safety of Shanghai-based activist Chen Jianfang (陈建芳) and the imminent danger of torture she faces. Chen has been missing for more than 24 hours as of November 5, 2013. Chen was last in touch with friends on November 4 when she was on her (read more…)