Annual Report on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders in China ...

<strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders in China (2009)April 26, 2010Part I: An Assessment of Rights Essential for Defending Human RightsThroughout 2009, the Chinese government continued to rely on existing methods ofcontrol to restrict the rights accorded to human rights defenders. For several key areas inwhich citizens have demonstrated the most activism in recent years, however, thegovernment stepped up its efforts to rein in any further growth:• Freedom of association: The government shut down Gongmeng, a successful civilsociety organization known for its innovative work promoting human rights andequality. Beijing police also briefly detained its director and one of its staff members.The move sent a chill through China’s civil society and served as a warning to othersimilar organizations in Beijing.• Freedom of expression on the internet: The government initiated several policiesand campaigns to strengthen its grip over the internet, which has continued toprovide fertile ground for citizen activism.• The right to complain: The government adopted a harsher attitude towardspetitioners, and institutionalized more severe punishment for those who continue topetition.• The right to provide legal assistance: Twenty human rights lawyers were deniedrenewal of their licenses by the Beijing Bureau of Justice in May, and as of the timeof writing, eight had still been unable to obtain renewals. Furthermore, a number oflawyers were assaulted, detained, imprisoned and harassed for defending humanrights in the past year.A. The rights to freedom of assembly and associationFor the purpose of promoting and protecting human rights and fundamentalfreedoms, everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, atthe national and international levels:(a) To meet or assemble peacefully;(b) To form, join and participate in non-governmental organizations, associationsor groups;(c) To communicate with non-governmental or intergovernmental organizations.- Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, Article 5Everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to solicit,receive and utilize resources for the express purpose of promoting and protectinghuman rights and fundamental freedoms through peaceful means, in accordancewith Article 3 of the present Declaration.- Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, Article 13The past year saw no tangible relaxation of the government’s tight control over freedomof association and assembly. Laws and regulations limiting the formation of associationsor the holding of demonstrations remained in place. Furthermore, the Chinesegovernment took steps to limit the already-constricted space for independent associations.7