Human rights in China: The facts
Expressing your opinion in China can result in jail, torture or death. People are silenced and what happens in China is clouded in secrecy.
Restricting the internet helps the Chinese Government to hide the true extent of human rights abuses like the death penalty, torture and detention without trial and the persecution of human rights defenders. We believe that transparency is essential to create a society that upholds basic human rights.
What is internet censorship?
Chat rooms monitored. Blogs deleted. Search results re-routed. Websites blocked. That's Internet censorship, China's 'Golden Shield Project'. The Government is watching you.
Who is affected by internet censorship?
Internet censorship affects everyone. Environmental activists, HIV lobbyists, human rights supporters, bloggers with opinions. These people and more are all denied freedom of expression in China.
The death penalty in China
Each year China executes hundreds of people, more than any other single country. Among the victims are people like Nie Shubin, a young farmer, who was put to death for a murder to which someone else later confessed.
Torture and detention without trial
Imagine being locked away for years, yet you’ve never been charged with a crime nor spoken to a lawyer – in China it happens to thousands of people every year.
Human rights defenders
Human rights defenders aren't usually world leaders or global figures. Mostly they're ordinary people who're willing to stand up for what they believe is right. They can be journalists, healthcare workers, lawyers, grieving parents, they can be anyone.
Internet companies – doing business in China
Experts believe China has the most extensive, technologically sophisticated and broad-reaching Internet filtering system in the world. The major overseas Internet companies operating there have, in one way or another, facilitated or colluded in the Government’s censorship practices.
Beijing Olympics 2008: China’s promises
China has made big promises about how the Olympics will improve human rights - now it's time to deliver.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should the Olympics be being held in China? Does the International Olympic Committee have a duty to help China improve its human rights record?
China: a snapshot
China is the world’s most populous country, and the Beijing Summer Olympic Games are a chance for it to showcase itself in the world spotlight.
Human rights abuse in China
Inside China people are persecuted and imprisoned for their religious and spiritual beliefs; rural migrants are deprived of their basic rights; families are forced from their homes without compensation; and ethnic groups are harassed and silenced.
Case studies
Expressing your opinion in China can result in jail, torture and death. Peaceful human rights defenders have had their phones tapped, homes raided, assets frozen and sometimes even their family and friends have been harassed. Some activists are tortured in secret detention centres, others are executed for vague crimes. It's hard to gauge the full extent of the persecution because of the secrecy that shrouds China.
Amnesty International is focusing on a number of case studies. Read their stories.
Welcome to Uncensor, a place where you can take action against Chinese Internet Censorship …more about this campaign
Meet “Nu Wa”, the Uncensor mascot.
Feature
Got a spare minute, hour or day?
If you have 30 seconds, 2 minutes or a day spare - no matter how little or how much time you have - you can get involved with our campaign to end internet repression in China. Check out some of the ways you can get involved and take action to stand up for human rights in China.
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