CECC Notes Worsening Human Rights Climate in the Run-Up to the Beijing Olympic Games

Congressional-Executive Commission on China | www.cecc.gov

January 31, 2008

CECC Notes Worsening Human Rights Climate in the Run-Up to the Beijing Olympic Games

(Washington, DC)—Official Chinese statements express that the 2008 Olympic Summer Games may be a catalyst for lasting progress in areas important to the advancement of human rights and the rule of law. The Commission is concerned, however, about a steadily worsening human rights climate in the run up to the Summer Games. The articles in this newsletter substantiate that concern. The suppression of citizen activism in the name of preserving social stability remains a recurring theme. China's leaders choose to regard the active involvement of citizens in spotlighting social, political, environmental, and economic problems as a source of social unrest. The Commission recognizes such public-mindedness by citizens as a source of hope.

In increasingly sophisticated ways, China uses law to cloak strategies of control in the appearance of accommodation to the needs and aspirations of the Chinese people. And the plight of political prisoners in China continues. At the same time, China's citizens accept the risks of activism in increasing numbers—and suffer the consequences. Readers of this newsletter will find that there is considerable room for progress to be made if China is to live up to its international commitments to advance human rights and the rule of law. The Commission looks forward to detailing that record fully in the months ahead.

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