News - Chinese Human Rights DefendersChinese Human Rights Defenders

China: End Show Trials, Free Human Rights Lawyers & Other Defenders

August 8, 2016 Comments Off

Last week’s televised “confessions” and swift convictions of human rights lawyers and activists for “subversion” have dashed any hope for rule of law reforms under Xi Jinping’s reign. Chinese authorities’ handling of the lawyers and activists rounded up since last July have broken numerous Chinese legal provisions and international human (read more…)

Secrecy Shrouding “709” Detainees Pre-empts “Fairness” of Trial

July 31, 2016 Comments Off

Four rights defenders held incommunicado for over one year may face imminent trials at the Tianjin No. 2 Intermediate People’s Court on charges of “subversion of state power.” The trials may begin as soon as Monday, August 1, according to unconfirmed information CHRD received. Chinese authorities have failed to notify (read more…)

[CHRB] China’s Persecution of Online Speech Targets Lawyer, Migrant Worker; New UN Ruling on “Arbitrary” Detention Met With Defiance (7/1-13, 2016)

July 14, 2016 Comments Off

In recent cases of deprived free speech, Chinese authorities have criminally detained defense lawyer Ren Quanniu and rights defender Hu Changgen, the latter on a terror-related charge, in retaliation for their online expression. Also, activist Guo Feixiong remains imprisoned despite a UN ruling for him to be freed.

敦促中国政府：释放人权律师，尊重法治

July 8, 2016 Comments Off

在史无前例的对中国人权律师大抓捕一周年之际，“人权捍卫者”呼吁中国政府释放19名仍然在押的人士。同时，中国政府愈加严厉地压制依法行使基本人权，违犯中国自己的法律和宪法以及国际人权准则，我们呼吁当局立即停止这种打压。

China: Free Rights Lawyers, Respect Rule of Law

July 7, 2016 Comments Off

Marking the anniversary of an unprecedented crackdown on rights lawyers in China, CHRD calls for the release of the 19 individuals still detained and an end to the government’s escalating persecution of legitimate exercise of fundamental human rights, in violation of Chinese laws, its constitution, and international human rights standards.

[CHRB] Activists Detained or Facing Trial for Exercising Free Expression (6/22-30, 2016)

June 30, 2016 Comments Off

Since mid-June, Chinese authorities have kept up persecution of activists who have exercised their free expression rights. Three such rights defenders have recently faced trial—and another is set to be tried on June 30—while two citizen journalists were criminally detained for sharing data online about public protests.

China: End Impunity for Torture & Provide Justice for Victims

June 23, 2016 Comments Off

To mark the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, CHRD reiterates calls for the Chinese government to end impunity for torturers and injustice for victims of torture. China has failed to live up to its obligations as outlined in the international Convention against Torture, including Article 14, under (read more…)

[CHRB] 2 Veteran Democracy Activists Get Long Sentences for “Subversion” (6/17-6/21, 2016)

June 21, 2016 Comments Off

A Chinese court handed two long-time democracy activists lengthy prison sentences on June 17 after convicting them of “subversion of state power,” adding to a string of harsh punishments for dissidents under the reign of President Xi Jinping. Lü Gengsong (吕耿松) was given 11 years’ imprisonment while activist Chen Shuqing (read more…)

[CHRB] 10 Activists Criminally Detained for Memorializing June 4th (6/3-6/8, 2016)

June 8, 2016 Comments Off

Police criminally detained 10 activists before the 27-year anniversary of June 4th, as Chinese citizens continue to face persecution for commemorating the crushing of the 1989 pro-democracy movement. Beginning on May 27, activists Li Meiqing, Li Wei, Liang Taiping, Lu Fuhai, Luo Yaling, Ma Qing, Ma Xinli, Xu Caihong, Zhang (read more…)

China Should Protect Socio-Economic Rights Defenders’ Civil & Political Rights

June 3, 2016 Comments Off

As the US-China Strategic & Economic Dialogue opens in Beijing on June 6, the US should use this opportunity to push for the Chinese government to end its persecution of human rights defenders who promote social and economic rights. These HRDs should be allowed to play an essential role in (read more…)

Keeping June 4th Memories Alive: Q&A With Members of China’s “Post-1990s” Generation

June 2, 2016 Comments Off

Since 1989, the Chinese Communist Party has enforced a policy of denial about the 1989 Tiananmen protests and their violent suppression. Authorities have suppressed demands by victims’ families for justice and any efforts to commemorate those who died when government troops opened fire on peaceful protesters. The government has scrubbed (read more…)

Risky prospects: Engagement of Chinese human rights defenders with the Human Rights Council

June 1, 2016 Comments Off

By Linda Wang & Alex Beck | For many Chinese human rights defenders and independent non-governmental organizations, difficulties and risks associated with engaging the Human Rights Council, including threat of Chinese government reprisals, outweigh the benefits. But there are meaningful actions the Council can take to improve access and to (read more…)