China Human Rights and Rule of Law Update - No. 2 - March 11, 2009
Introduction
One year after a wave of protests began in Lhasa and swept across the Tibetan Plateau, the Chinese government continues to focus its attention on perceived sources of “instability” not just in ethnic minority areas, but across a diverse cross-section of Chinese society. As the articles in this newsletter show, official efforts to promote Party policy through the control of information extend beyond media coverage of ethnic affairs. A broad sweep of issues ranging from press coverage of national economic matters to reporting on Beijing building fires has been subject to the close scrutiny of censors. Prompted by anniversaries of events they deem to be “sensitive,” authorities have vowed to “strike hard” against perceived threats to “social stability.” Official announcements indicate that authorities will respond early to “social unrest” prompted by rising unemployment or other causes. The case of a Uyghur historian recently released from prison, and the postponement of the trial of rights activist Huang Qi illustrate that China’s criminal law system continues to function as a tool to punish people for exercising the right to free speech. In the months ahead, the Congressional-Executive Commission on China will continue to monitor and report on these and other developments, and on China's record with respect to its international commitments to develop the rule of law and to safeguard human rights.