Amnesty International Australia

The death penalty in China

"State secrets", non-violent crimes, unfair trials and torture are all part of the death penalty in China. Although some reforms are in place, there is no transparency and China continues to execute thousands of people each year.

‘Leave Beijing’

The National Communist Party of China (CPC) Congress 17th meeting will be held in Beijing from 15 October. As with the Olympic Games, there is a certain image of the country that China wishes to portray during this major event. Leading up to the meeting at least one prominent human rights lawyer has been forcibly asked to leave Beijing.

The arms of China are all around Myanmar’s military

China has provided arms to Myanmar and its support has been key to the continuation of a brutal and oppressive regime.

What will China do about Myanmar?

Even though China's official line on Myanmar is 'non-interference', Beijing is sensitive to criticism about it's foreign policies in the lead-up to the Olympics. The big question is: what will China do?

US Congress calls for release of Uighurs

In the United States of America , the House of Representatives has passed a resolution urging China to release the children of Uighur human rights activist Rebiya Kadeer, and to drastically improve its human rights record.

Rebiya Kadeer has been a champion of the Uighur people, she has peacefully called for human rights to be upheld, for her people to be respected and for a semblance of democracy in China. For pursuing these beliefs, Rebiya was jailed for 8 years, but released after international pressure grew, and now lives as a a refugee in the USA and her children in China have been targeted and persecuted.

Chen Guangcheng’s wife thanks supporters

Wife of jailed Chinese human rights lawyer, Chen Guangcheng, has thanked Amnesty International supporters for sending messages to her husband. Personal letters and greetings have provided some comfort and the knowledge that there are many who care about Gaungchengs' plight.

Gaps in the Great Firewall of China

A study on the effectiveness of the Great Firewall of China show that self-censorship, rather than technology does more to discourage talk about banned topics.

One reporter released, laws still the same.

One reporter released, 35 to go and a long way to go on media reforms. The media reforms introduced in 2007 do not apply to domestic media who still risk imprisonment as a result of their work.

Paul Keating and China’s century

Find out what Australia's ex-Prime Minister has to say about China, the US and the end of statecraft.

What the business media chose not to talk about

You may have heard that Sydney was the host to APEC, and the presence of China's President Hu Jintao garnered almost as much media interest as the visit of US President Bush. Human rights, however, seems have largely escaped the mainstream media's notice.

Keep digging, you still won’t find the human rights

China's President Hu Jintao commences his Australian visit today with a 24 hour visit to Western Australia. Exports from WA to China are reported to be worth more $13.8 billion. Official dinner, meet and greet, perhaps even a field visit to a mining site are all on the agenda for the President's trip. Human rights, conditions of Chinese workers and ethical investment are probably not.

Scandal in Chinese toy industry deepens

Recent problems for the toy manufacturing sector in China, on both human rights and product safety issues, have worsened this week.

The Olympic torch, China and Taiwan

In April, China announced the route of the Olympic Torch. It will be lit in Olympia, Greece, on the 26th March 2008 and with 20,000 bearers will be carried through 20 international cities. Included on the route is Mt. Everest and Lhasa.

Cybercops on patrol

The Chinese Government has launched a pair of animated police officers to keep Chinese internet users off illegal websites.

Lawsuit filed against Yahoo! Inc.

Listen to an interview with the executive director of Human Rights USA, who talks about the case his organisation has just filed against Yahoo! Inc. on behalf of Chinese journalist Shi Tao and pro-democracy advocate, Wang Xiaoning.

Flame is alive - for some

20,000 people will carry the Olympic torch through 20 different cities - not as joyous as it may sound. In April China announced that the route would include Mount Everst, Tibet and Taiwan's capital - Taipei.

Beaten over human rights award

Yuan Weijing was arrested when she attempted to leave China on 24 August. The 30 year old fled her village near Linyi city, where she had been under surveillance by Chinese authorities. Yuan's crime: she is married to a human rights lawyer!

Amnesty International Australia to face water cannons?

Some media reports this week have falsely stated that Amnesty International Australia will be involved in anti-APEC protests when world leaders meet in Sydney next month.

Olympic politics heat up

What do a Hollywood director, a free-Tibet activist and Chinese artist have in common? They're all creating waves in the leadup to the Beijing Olympics.

Dissent may be on the ascent

Since Wei Jingsheng posted his famous 'Fifth Modernisation' on the Bulletin Board 25 years ago and spent years thereafter languishing in prison, expression of dissent in China has required great courage. It remains so. Nevertheless, since the beginning of 2007 there have been increasing and open criticisms directed at the Chinese Government and its monopoly of power.