119th Congress

The Congressional-Executive Commission on China was created by Congress in October 2000 with the legislative mandate to monitor human rights and the development of the rule of law in China, and to submit an annual report to the President and the Congress. The Commission consists of nine Senators, nine Members of the House of Representatives, and five senior Administration officials appointed by the President.

Annual Reports

The Commission's Annual Reports detail yearly developments in Chinese human rights and the rule of law.

Commission Analysis

Commission staff analysis of the latest developments from China.

Q: What is a "political prisoner?"

A: The Commission treats as a "political prisoner" an individual detained for exercising his or her human rights under international law, such as peaceful assembly, freedom of religion, freedom of association, free expression, including the freedom to advocate peaceful social or political change, and to criticize government policy or government officials. (This list is not meant to be exhaustive, just illustrative.) In most cases, prisoners in the PPD were detained or imprisoned for attempting to exercise rights guaranteed to them by China's Constitution and law, or by international law, or both.

Political Prisoner Database

2025 Political Prisoner Cases of Concern

Frequently Asked Questions

The Congressional-Executive Commission on China expresses special thanks to the Dui Hua Foundation

What is the Congressional-Executive Commission on China?

Congress created the Congressional Executive Commission on China (CECC) in 2000 to monitor China's compliance with international human rights standards, to encourage the development of the rule of law in the PRC, and to establish and maintain a list of victims of human rights abuses in China. The Commission comprises nine Senators, nine members of the House of Representatives and five senior Administration officials appointed by the President.