Amnesty International Australia

The contradictions of the Internet in China

China has more people online than any other country on the planet – and the highest number of imprisoned bloggers in the world. Check out this podcast that explores the issue.

World headlines – 17 June 2008

In the latest wrap-up from news outlets and bloggers across the globe:

A Chinese dissident commits suicide after being forcibly returned to China from Australia, worldwide more bloggers than ever face arrest for exposing human rights abuses or criticising governments, and rights groups calls on China to reduce its use of the death penalty plus …

Silencing dissent in China: Fresh arrests

Saying what you think, writing about what you saw – they're hazardous pursuits in China. And if you need proof then consider the cases of two writers who have recently been hauled off by police.

World headlines – 16 June 2008

In the latest wrap-up from news outlets and bloggers across the globe:

A BBC correspondent experiences first-hand how authorities are trying to quash coverage of the earthquake-collapsed schools, concern about the detention of more human rights activists, and the Olympic torch heads to the troubled Xinjiang region plus…

Tearing down Internet censorship

Check out this YouTube video of Amnesty International Australia's 'Tear Down the Great Firewall of China' event in Hobart.

Delving into the Internet in China

The myths and realities of China and the Internet is the theme of a conference being held in Hong Kong today and tomorrow.

World headlines – 13 June 2008

In the latest wrap-up from news outlets and bloggers across the globe:

China denies allegations it hacked US congressional computers, censors have banned the June issue of Time Out Beijing, and Olympic broadcasters are angry and frustrated plus …

Olympic torch headed for Tibet

The protest-beleaguered Olympic torch was escorted through Shangri-la this week, in the first of several stops in China's Tibetan areas.

World headlines -12 June 2008

In the latest wrap-up from news outlets and bloggers across the globe:

Kevin Rudd is under fire for failing to meet with the Dalai Lama during his visit to Australia, claims that hackers working out of China have attacked computers on Capitol Hill and Chinese villagers try to prevent government land seizures plus …

Weekly report: The disaster that opened the door

Once small freedoms are granted in China, they are not easily reversed, writes Antony Loewenstein

New rules and empty promises

Less than two months before the Olympic celebrations kick off, China's promises about greater media freedom are looking dubiously empty.

World headlines – 11 June 2008

In the latest wrap-up from news outlets and bloggers across the globe:

Chinese people are using the Internet to push the boundaries of free speech, Amnesty International urges athletes to record any human rights abuses they see, and the Huffington Post says media is arguably more restricted now than it was back when the country was awarded the Olympics plus …

Beijing-bound athletes take a stand

Some the US's best known basketball stars are pressing China on human rights – and that's just fine with NBA officials.

World headlines – 10 June 2008

In the latest wrap-up from news outlets and bloggers across the globe:

The Wall Street Journal examines China's Olympic Odyssey, state media leave out vital information in reports on last week's Tiananmen commemorations in Hong Kong, and officials have come up with an approved set of cheers and chants for the public to use during the Olympics plus …

Falling short on media freedom in China

Journalists Chen Renjie and Lin Youping have been languishing in Chinese jails for the past 25 years – their crime was to write, publish and give out 300 copies of a so-called 'counterrevolutionary' pamphlet.

World headlines – 6 June 2008

In the latest wrap-up from news outlets and bloggers across the globe:

Human rights groups fear security equipment being sent by the US to China for the Olympics may be used against internal dissidents, the IOC's chief inspector for the Beijing Games says they are a force for good for China, and 16 monks are charged in connection with the Tibetan unrest two months ago plus …

Mongolian activist in danger

Mongolian human rights activist Jaranbayar Soyolt hasn't been seen or heard from for almost five months – we are deeply worried that he's at risk of being tortured or ill-treated.

World headlines – 5 June 2008

In the latest wrap-up from news outlets and bloggers across the globe:

A student activist and former communist party official who were jailed over the Tiananmen crackdown speak out, a press freedom activist is threatened by police and Chinese state media slams British parliamentarians for holding a hearing with the Dalai Lama plus …

Former Orlando Magic player defending human rights

John Amaechi, former Orlando Magic basketball player, has taken on the role as an Amnesty International Sporting Ambassador for Beijing. He believes that standing up for human rights during the Olympics is the "most Olympian thing to do".

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