Amnesty International Australia

China and the IOC’s censorship deal

China has come clean admitting journalists won't have access to an uncensored Internet – and to make it worse some International Olympic Committee (IOC) officials apparently made a deal to let Chinese authorities block some websites.

China in the headlines – 31 July 2008

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

• The International Olympic Committee admits it cut an Internet censorship deal with Chinese authorities.

• The best possible scenario for the Beijing Olympics, according to The Economist's China correspondent.

• Chinese police guarding Tibet will tighten up to ensure "absolute security without a single lapse" during the Olympics.

Plus …

Amnesty asks Yahoo! for answers

Ahead of Yahoo! AGM Amnesty International is calling on the company to do more for human rights in China.

Documentary makers with an eye on China

London-based Journeyman Pictures has posted two new videos about China to YouTube this week; one's about former jailed dissident Wei Jingsheng and the other looks at the scores of law-abiding people who are being forced out of Beijing in the run-up to the Olympics.

China’s dissenters in the firing line

Tens of thousands of journalists, athletes and tourists are headed to Beijing, the Olympics are about to open, the world is watching China – and still they continue to punish dissidents and rights activists.

China in the headlines – 30 July 2008

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

• Chinese dissidents have found a way to dodge police surveillance by using Skype, a free Internet telephone service.

• Amnesty International's website is inaccessible inside the Beijing Olympics' press centre, the day after we issue a damning report on the state of human rights in China.

• All hotels near the Olympic venues have been ordered to install software to spy on their guests, says a US Senator.

Plus …

Weekly report: Confusion through the Beijing smog

Western critics of Beijing should be careful what they wish for during the Games, writes Antony Loewenstein

Sydney action 30 / 31 July

In Sydney's Martin Place from 8am - 6pm on Wednesday 30th and Thursday 31st July we will be 'tearing down the wall' of Internet repression and calling for freedom of expression online in China.

Twitter keeps an eye on China’s Great Firewall

Over on Twitter a China-based blogger has started a list of sites that are currently blocked by China's Great Firewall.

China’s Olympic promises in tatters

Chinese authorities have not only broken their promise to improve the country's human rights, but they've also betrayed the core values of the Olympics.

China in the headlines – 29 July 2008

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

• Dissidents hope the Beijing Games are like the politically reforming 1988 Seoul Games, not the Nazi propaganda-driven 1936 Berlin Games.

• China's human rights situation has gotten worse, not better, with its hosting of the Olympics, says Amnesty International.

• China is planning a purge of Tibetan monasteries, reports the Telegraph.

Plus …

Olympic realities inside China

Chinese authorities have lost sight of the promises they made when they were won the Olympic hosting rights seven years ago; and now they're tarnishing the legacy of the Games.

Join events in your area for the 10 day countdown!

For the 10 day countdown to the Beijing Olympics, Amnesty International will be organising actions and activities across Australia to campaign for human rights in China.

We need everyone to be involved, so check out what is happening in your local area today!

Have your say about China’s human rights record

Do you have an opinion about China's human rights record? Well, we want to hear what you think. We here at Uncensor have set up a special section, a Have Your Say Page, where you can post comments and questions, and debate human rights in China.

Skepticism over Olympic video threat

Lots of questions have been raised about the sincerity of a Islamic group claiming to be behind recent bombings in China; and who also say they're planning more attacks during the Olympics.

Tips for reporters covering the Olympics

Here's some info and insights for foreign journalists heading to Beijing to cover the Olympics. It's from former CNN Beijing bureau chief Rebecca MacKinnon, who is now assistant professor at the University of Hong Kong's Journalism and Media Studies Centre. The interview is from journalist, blogger and photographer Thomas Crampton.

China in the headlines – 28 July 2008

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

• Reporters clash with Chinese police while filming scuffles among the thousands queuing for the last Olympic tickets.

• The International Olympic Committee can't force China to change, says its president Jacques Rogge.

• Condoleezza Rice says China mustn't use security worries as a cover for a crackdown on political dissent.

Plus …

Human rights in China: Pass it on

This is one of three videos about human rights in China which have been put together by, among others, famous French stage director Ariane Mnouchkine, her theatre company Theatre du Soleil, Chinese dissidents, Tibetan refugees, and Reporters Without Borders.

Poet takes China officials to court

Al Jazeera English has filed this story on YouTube about Tibetan poet, author and blogger Woeser, who this week announced she's suing the Chinese Government because they won't give her a passport.

China in the headlines – 25 July 2008

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

• China remains the world's leading executioner, says a human rights group.

• Officials say they have broken up a terrorist cell planning possible Olympic attacks in Shanghai, but offer little detail.

• The Olympic blues through the eyes of a Chinese man.

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