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A great leap forward for human rights in China or maybe even just one small step?

15/03/2013 - This week the world’s most populous country is finalising a once-in-a-decade leadership transition which began in November 2012 .The conclusion of the National People's Congress will see Xi Jinping assume the position of President of China, and will usher in a new era in which China is expected to surpass the United States in terms of size of its economy.

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China: Charge of 'inciting subversion of state power' brought against human rights defender Mr Zhu Chengzhi posted on: 2012/08/13

On 9 August 2012, the wife of human rights defender Mr Zhu Chengzhi, received official notice from the authorities in Shaoyang City, Hunan Province, that her husband was being charged with 'inciting subversion of state power'

Human rights lawyer Mr Chen Guangcheng escapes house arrest; brother and fellow human rights defender, Ms He Peirong, reportedly detainedposted on: 2012/04/27

Front Line Defenders would like to draw your attention to human rights lawyer Mr Chen Guangcheng's escape from house arrest and the detention of his brother, and fellow human rights defender, Ms He Peirong.

On 27 April 2012, it emerged that Chinese human rights defender and 'barefoot' lawyer Mr Chen Guangcheng had escaped the brutal house arrest which he and his family had been subjected to since his release from prison in September 2010. Chen Guangcheng's current whereabouts are unknown, although it has been stated by a reliable source that he is in a secure location. Chen Guangcheng is a blind, self-taught lawyer who has defended the rights of farmers, people with disabilities and women subjected to abuse. He was also active in exposing forced abortions and sterilizations in and around Linyi City in Shangdong Province.

A fellow human rights defender involved in Chen Guangcheng's escape, Ms He Peirong, released the news on a micro-blogging site on 27 April and was reportedly detained at her home in Nanjing city at approximately 11am that morning. There are no further details of her situation at present.

Gao Zhisheng - Currently missing in Chinaposted on: 2012/02/01

Human rights defender and self-taught lawyer Gao Zhisheng was named one of China's top ten lawyers by the Ministry of Justice in 2001. However, after beginning to investigate and draw attention to allegations of abuse against members of China’s religious minorities, he became subject to harassment, detentions and forced disappearances himself.

China: Sentencing of human rights defender Mr Li Tie to ten years imprisonment on charges of subverting state powerposted on: 2012/01/19

On 18 January 2012, human rights defender and writer Mr Li Tie was sentenced to ten years in prison on subversion charges based on articles published on-line in which he was critical of the Chinese government and called on people to defend their rights.

In the last ten years Li Tie has written a number of articles endorsing democratic reform and advocating for local elections.

On 18 January 2012, following a hearing which lasted approximately half an hour, Wuhan Intermediate People's Court sentenced Li Tie to ten years in prison for “subversion of State power”.

China: Update - Gao Zhisheng's relatives denied permission to visit himposted on: 2012/01/11

Further to the Urgent Appeal dated 16 December 2011, Front Line Defenders has received the following information regarding human rights defender Mr Gao Zhisheng.

Brussels: Statement by the spokesperson of High Representative Catherine Ashton on the sentencing of human rights activists in Chinaposted on: 2012/01/04

The spokesperson of Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission, issued the following statement today.

China: Update - Human rights defender Ms Wang Lihong released after completion of prison sentenceposted on: 2011/12/20

Further to the Urgent Appeal issued on 9 September 2011, Front Line Defenders has received the following information regarding human rights defender Ms Wang Lihong.

China: Human rights defenders at risk as draft amendments to Criminal Procedure Law would effectively legalise enforced disappearancesposted on: 2011/12/13

Front Line Defenders is extremely concerned by proposed amendments to China's Criminal Procedure Law, which if passed, will effectively lead to the legalisation of enforced disappearances for up to six months of people held on suspicion of “endangering state security”, “serious bribery” or “terrorism”.