Amnesty International Australia

British athletes gagged.

The British Olympic Association (BOA) has advised that athletes representing Britain at the Beijing Olympic Games are "not to comment on any politically sensitive issues". To support its decision, the BOA has cited International Olympic Committee Rule 51; "no kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted at Olympic sites, venues or other areas".

Chinese internet storms brewing

China's recent extreme weather caused death, havoc on roads as families were travelling for New Year celebrations and the need for official involvement in the clean up and rescue efforts. Chinese media (state owned) called operations 'successful' and 'heroic'. The internet has been ablaze with locals criticising weather forecasts and the official responses to the crisis. Just one example of the exciting internet age in China taking a stance against censorship and challenging the official line.

Take part in your local festivities

Our events calendar lists Chinese New Year festivities all around Australia, including dragon dances, fireworks displays, and exciting boat races. Take note of how you can promote human rights issues in China at these events. Send us an email to include your event or any others we have missed in the calendar.

China unexpectedly releases ‘spy’ and traps another blogger

In April 2005 Ching Cheong, Hong Kong based Chief China correspondent of the Straits Times was accused of spying for Taiwan and sentenced to 5years in prison. Last night, with no warning - Ching Cheong was released.

Some facts about Chinese New Year

Find out what it means to be born in the Year of the Rat, and other interesting facts about Chinese New Year.

This is not Olympic footage. Mother and child under house arrest.

A Channel 4 report shows Zeng Jinyan and her 8 week old daughter through the window of their Beijing apartment. Jinyan's husband Hu Jia was taken from the couple's home on 27 December 2007. He is still being held incommunicado and based on Chinese Government claims that he was "inciting subversion of state power".

Who sets the agenda when the U.S and U.K meet China?

U.S Embassy official... "We urge China to cease such arrests and detentions and take steps to release political prisoners already detained or serving sentences."

"It is time for the civilised world to wake up to what is really happening in the hidden China.." British member of parliament, Edward McMillan-Scott stated ahead of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's visit to China this week.

Online videos “attack China’s sovereignty”

"An unprecedented act of censorship" is how international press freedom organisation, Reporters Without Borders, described China's latest method of internet censorship. The new measures are aimed at silencing those who attempt to express their opinion through online video material.

One by one… China silencing human rights

Beijing couple, Hu Jia and his wife Zeng Jinyan are peaceful human rights activists, documentary makers who have a newborn child. But their family life involves surveillance, house arrests beatings and imprisonment. They are banned from leaving the country, have been in incommunicado detention and risk torture.

More lethal injection.. more humane says China.

China has announced plans to increase the use of their lethal injection program - rather than to execute its citizens by gun shot. There appears to be no discussion by Chinese authorities around plans to limit the use of the death penalty, to ensure fair trials or to cease the use of torture.

China Campaign News

Welcome to the bi-monthy China Campaign News - your way to find out what's happening in our campaign for human rights in China. Every two months you can find the PDF versions in this space for you to download.

“Media freedom” just ignore the fine print.

The Chinese Minister of the State Council Information Office, Cai Wu is reported to have said that ;the government will provide comprehensive service to the foreign media next year with timely dissemination of more authoritative information.'

Will this 'authoritative information' extend to true statistics on the use of the death penalty, methods of torture, numbers of people imprisoned without trial or a comprehensive list of censored words, topics and website?

Information ‘no through road’

Instead of the internet transforming China into a more open society, China is blocking access to information with the help of internet companies.

Can the Beijing Olympics - and its Western sponsors - help Darfur?

Western sponsors' marketing interest in the Beijing Olympics provides an opportunity to shine a light on human rights not just in China, but in the countries China influences. Sudan, afflicted by horrendous human rights violations in the Darfur region since 2003, provides a prime example. Sudanese rebels are attacking Chinese oil facilities at present and calling on the international community to help.

Free to report, but we’re watching you ...

Freedom of expression NGO, Reporters Without Borders have renewed their criticisim of supposedly 'free media' in China. Authorities in China responded to an open letter from the NGO by stating that the presence of journalists in China was welcomed.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

December 10, 2007 marks the 59th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by 56 members of the United Nations. The declaration marks the first time that a majority of the world's representatives have sought to articulate a vision of human rights that is neither sectarian nor bound by national status and state jurisdictions. The UDHR visualises the rights inherent in people by virtue of their status as human beings.

Company responsibility - to protect human rights?

"Companies cannot escape responsibility or be silent witness to widespread human rights violations. Human rights are not a luxury for good times - they must be respected and upheld at all times and under all circumstances, by all actors, state or corporate," says Amnesty International Secretary General, Irene Khan.

The 2008 Beijing Olympics: Upholding the spirit of the Games

Our campaign has thrown the spotlight on human rights in China. The 2008 Beijing OIympic Games is less than a year away. But a cloud remains over the Chinese Administration, accused of perpetuating gross human rights abuses, severe restrictions on freedom of expression and secrecy surrounding use of the death penalty and torture.

Google in China: Compromising its own values

Of the main Western internet companies present in China, Google is the one that has come closest to acknowledging publicly that its practices are at odds with its principles, and it has made a commitment to increase transparency. While these are welcome first steps, there is still a lot more the company could do.

Microsoft in China: Cozying up to the Government

Of all the Western information technology companies present in China, none has better access to the Chinese Government than Microsoft. Bill Gates met with four Chinese Government leaders in April 2007 and Chinese president Hu Jintao, visited both the Microsoft campus and Gates' home in April 2006. The reason for the close relationship is clear.