Amnesty International Australia

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.

Nie Shubin – wrongly executed

Nie Shubin's family only discovered he had been executed after his father went to take him food in prison. The young farmer, who was barely in his 20s, was reportedly tortured into confessing to the rape and murder of a woman.

Wu Zhenjiang - put to death

Wu Zhenjiang was executed in 2005, but still to this day his body has never been returned to his grieving family. The 24-year-old student's family say they were not allowed to see him after his trial, and didn't even get to say goodbye.

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.

The Olympic tradition

Millions of people will be watching China come 8 August this year when it hosts the world’s greatest sporting event. The Games are about challenge, victory and competing for the ultimate athletic prize. They’re also a celebration of humanity, equality, peace and dignity.

China in brief

The People's Republic of China is home to some 1.33 billion people - that's 20 per cent of the entire world population. It stretches over most of the East Asia region and is the fourth largest country in area - after Russia, Canada, and the US - covering around 9.6 million sq km.

Banned, blocked, jailed -  internet users in China

At a time when Tibet is closed, the Chinese Government controls the media and the journalists are prevented from entering parts of China - surely the internet and modern technology give hope?

Everest off-limits for protestors

As violence was spilling onto the streets of Tibet’s capital this week, news came out that Nepal has agreed to China’s request to close its side of Mt Everest for the first 10 days of May.

China, we’re still waiting for the truth about Tibet

In March 2008 a peaceful demonstration by 400 Tibetan monks turned into violence, imprisonment, beatings and deaths. The number killed, imprisoned or 'disappeared' is still not confirmed.

Secrets of Beijing are no closer to being told

The Financial Review's Secret Beijing article was little more than a succession of recommendations for Beijing’s tourist attractions, between pages of glossy advertising for premium products. Human rights did not rate a mention.

Missing rights lawyer freed - a second lawyer attacked

The abduction of lawyer, academic and human rights activist Teng Biao by Chinese police makes a joke of the country’s promises to improve human rights in the run-up to the Olympics.

Deny internet access and the EU might deny trade

Parliaments around the world are acknowledging the serious nature of internet repression and the role that Governments and large companies play in this human rights abuse.

Thank-you!

Thank-you to everyone who participated in our Chinese New Year Greeting Card campaign! Click here to see our results.

Spielberg never signed up

Excuse me, Mr Spielberg you weren’t actually an artistic adviser to the Beijing Olympics, so technically you can’t resign.

Former Chinese prisoner brings tears and hope

On Thursday 28 February more than 100 people filled Amnesty International's Sydney Action Centre to hear a powerful speech by Rebiya Kadeer, a Uighur human rights campaigner and former Chinese prisoner of conscience.

The event was Rebiya Kadeer's final engagement in her Australian visit and was filled with passion, tears and hope. Thank you to everyone who attended.

Watching the journalists

With less than six months until the Olympics, China's giant spy network is eyeballing foreign journalists and possible rabble-rousers, according to a new book due to be released this week.

Spielberg puts spotlight on China

It apparently takes a truckload of star power, universal fame and media attention to make China take notice.

Rebiya Kadeer

Nobel Peace Prize nominee Rebiya Kadeer - who spent six years in a Chinese prison for allegedly revealing state secrets – makes her first visit to Australia this month.

Fighting for her peoples’ rights: Rebiya Kadeer visits Australia

Celebrated Uighur human rights activist, Nobel Peace Prize nominee and former prisoner of conscience Rebiya Kadeer has arrived in Australia on her first visit to the country.