Human Rights for China

Justice through Accountability

Amnesty is calling for an Independent and Public inquiry into the Tiananmen Crackdown as a first step towards justice for the victims

In the interests of a stable and prosperous China, the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, based on Article of 71 of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China, should appoint committees of inquiry to initiate a public, independent and impartial inquiry into the events of 3-4 June 1989, which would bring those responsible for human rights violations to justice and compensate the families of the victims

Human Rights for China

During the Olympic selection process, the Chinese authorities made repeated assurances that the human rights situation in China would improve in the run-up to the event. So far they are breaking that promise. Without improvements to human rights in China, the Olympic host will be remembered as a country that executes, tortures and silences its citizens.

Amnesty International is urging the Chinese authorities to step up their human rights reforms.

We want:

An end to executions
The death penalty violates the right to life and is an affront to human dignity. Conditions of detention on death row in China are cruel and degrading. The authorities in China must clarify how many people are executed each year, and cut the number of capital crimes.

Fair trials for all
China's Re-education Through Labour programme violates the right to fair trial and the prohibition of forced labour. People on programmes like this risk torture and ill-treatment. Beijing City and state authorities must clean up their approach to 'cleaning' up the city.

Respect for human rights defenders
Chinese human rights defenders are harassed, assaulted and imprisoned for their legitimate protests. This violates their right to freedom of expression, assembly and association. Chinese human rights defenders must be free to highlight issues of concern before, during and after the Games.

Freedom from censorship
Unwarranted censorship of the internet violates the rights to freedom of expression and information. If the Olympics are to be high tech and encourage full media freedom, there must be unrestricted access to the internet across China and way beyond the end of the Games.