On Tiananmen anniversary, CSW calls on China govt

On the twenty-fourth anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) remains deeply concerned about the Chinese government’s treatment of human rights defenders, including those defending the right to freedom of religion or belief.

Christian rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng, well-known for his work defending victims of religious freedom violations and other vulnerable social groups, disappeared in April 2010 after talking to the media about being tortured in detention. In December 2011 the Chinese news agency Xinhua reported that Gao had violated the terms of his probation (from 2006) and had been returned to prison for 3 years. On 27 August 2012, two lawyers hired by Gao’s brother were refused access to Gao on the grounds that he had not signed the letter authorising the visit, and did not need legal representation because he is a lawyer.

CSW is also concerned about the situation of other human rights lawyers, including Ni Yulan, a lawyer specialising in housing rights, who was severely beaten for more than 50 hours in police detention in 2002. Since then she has been disbarred and her home has been destroyed. On 7 April 2011, Ni and her husband were detained by Beijing Police and Ni was formally charged on 17 May with “provoking trouble”. Ni’s daughter, who was present at the trial, reported that her mother gave evidence from a hospital bed while on oxygen.

The mistreatment of lawyers continues today. On 13 May 2013, seven lawyers were beaten severely by unidentified persons when they tried to visit the largest “black jail” in Sichuan. They were later detained for more than twelve hours at Ying Jie Town Police Station on the charge of “obstructing official business”. Four other lawyers who travelled to Sichuan to help them were also detained and interrogated. All have since been released.

Many human rights defenders currently detained in China are signatories to Charter08, which demands various changes and rights, including the right to freedom of religion and the right to freedom of expression. Among them are Christian activist and organiser Chen Xi, and Nobel Laureate and rights activist Liu Xiaobo.

In the approach to the anniversary of “June Fourth”, Chinese activists have been detained, “cautioned” and otherwise prevented from organising activities related to the events of June 1989. In 2008, the UN Committee Against Torture called on China to “conduct a full and impartial investigation” into these events and to provide information about the possible use of force, torture and other ill treatment. Yet even now, as in previous years, there is no room for reflective questions and critical analysis of “June Fourth”.

CSW’s Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said, “On the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square tragedy, we call upon the Chinese government to fully respect the rights of its citizens, including the right to freedom of religion or belief, and to release all those who have been detained, placed under house arrest or ‘disappeared’ for endeavouring to defend human rights peacefully. We also urge the government to conduct a full and impartial investigation into the events of June 1989.”

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is a Christian organisation working for religious freedom through advocacy and human rights, in the pursuit of justice.

For further information or to arrange interviews please contact David Griffiths, Acting Advocacy Director at Christian Solidarity Worldwide on +44 (0) 7823 329661 or email davidgriffiths@csw.org.uk.