The People's Republic of China : Human Rights Issues and Abuses, in Focus

Description

Human rights conditions in the People's Republic of China (PRC) remain a central issue in U.S.-China ties. Different perceptions of human rights are an underlying source of mutual misunderstanding and mistrust. Frictions on human rights issues affect other issues in the bilateral relationship, including those related to economics and security. China's weak rule of law and restrictions on information affect U.S. companies doing business in the PRC. People-to-people exchanges, particularly educational and academic ones, are often hampered by periodic Chinese government campaigns against “Western values.” For many U.S. policymakers, human rights conditions in China represent a test of the success of overall U.S. policy toward the PRC. Some analysts contend that the U.S. policy of cultivating diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties with China has failed to promote meaningful political reform, and that without fundamental progress in this area, mutual trust and cooperation in other areas will remain difficult to achieve. The U.S. government has employed an array of efforts and tactics aimed at promoting democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in China, although their effects have been felt primarily along the margins of the PRC political system. Many analysts have observed that China's leaders have become less responsive to international pressure on human rights in recent years. This book examines human rights issues in the People's Republic of China (PRC), including ongoing rights abuses, and legal developments. THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA: HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES AND ABUSES, IN FOCUS THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA: HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES AND ABUSES, IN FOCUS Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data CONTENTS PREFACE Chapter 1: HUMAN RIGHTS IN CHINA AND U.S. POLICY: ISSUES FOR THE 114TH CONGRESS* SUMMARY INTRODUCTION ASSESSING HUMAN RIGHTS CONDITIONS IN CHINA CHINA AND U.N. HUMAN RIGHTS COVENANTS Public Protests Public Attitudes FREEDOM HOUSE SPECIAL REPORT ON HUMAN RIGHTS IN CHINA SELECTED DEVELOPMENTS Political Dissent Arrests of Lawyers New Legislation National Security Law Draft Overseas NGO Management Law Other Proposed Legislation Nongovernmental Organizations The Internet Weibo and WeChat Re-education through Labor (RETL) FORMS OF ADMINISTRATIVE DETENTION SELECTED HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES Prisoners of Conscience Liu Xiaobo Gao Zhisheng Xu Zhiyong Religious Freedom and Ethnic Minority Issues Christians Tibetans U.S. POLICY TOWARD TIBETAN AREAS OF CHINA Uighur Muslims Ilham Tohti Falun Gong Organ Harvesting HOUSE RESOLUTION 343 (114TH CONGRESS) China’s Family Planning Policies Labor Unrest LEGAL REFORMS U.S. EFFORTS TO ADVANCE HUMAN RIGHTS IN CHINA Selected Policy Tools NOTABLE LEGISLATION RELATED TO HUMAN RIGHTS IN CHINA Congressional Actions Rule of Law and Civil Society Programs CONGRESSIONAL-EXECUTIVE COMMISSION ON CHINA (CECC) National Endowment for Democracy Sanctions United Nations Human Rights Council Human Rights Dialogue GLOBAL ONLINE FREEDOM ACT Internet Freedom VOA DOCUMENTARY ON TIBETAN SELF-IMMOLATIONS International Broadcasting APPENDIX. SELECTED LEGISLATION RELATED TO HUMAN RIGHTS IN CHINA 114th Congress 113th Congress End Notes Chapter 2: CHINA 2014 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT* EXECUTIVE SUMMARY SECTION 1: RESPECT FOR THE INTEGRITY OF THE PERSON, INCLUDING FREEDOM FROM a. Arbitrary or Unlawful Deprivation of Life b. Disappearance c. Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Prison and Detention Center Conditions d. Arbitrary Arrest or Detention Role of the Police and Security Apparatus Arrest Procedures and Treatment of Detainees e. Denial of Fair Public Trial Trial Procedures Political Prisoners and Detainees Civil Judicial Procedures and Remedies f. Arbitrary Interference with Privacy, Family, Home, or Correspondence SECTION 2: RESPECT FOR CIVIL LIBERTIES, INCLUDING a. Freedom of Speech and Press Internet Freedom Academic Freedom and Cultural Events b. Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association Freedom of Assembly Freedom of Association c. Freedom of Religion d. Freedom of Movement, Internally Displaced Persons, Protection of Refugees, and Stateless Persons Protection of Refugees SECTION 3: RESPECT FOR POLITICAL RIGHTS: THE RIGHT OF CITIZENS TO CHANGE THEIR GOVERNMENT Elections and Political Participation SECTION 4. CORRUPTION AND LACK OF TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNMENT SECTION 5: GOVERNMENTAL ATTITUDE REGARDING INTERNATIONAL AND NONGOVERNMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF ALLEGED VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS SECTION 6: DISCRIMINATION, SOCIETAL ABUSES, AND TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS Women Children Anti-Semitism Trafficking in Persons Persons with Disabilities National/Racial/Ethnic Minorities Acts of Violence, Discrimination, and Other Abuses Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity HIV and AIDS Social Stigma Other Societal Violence or Discrimination SECTION 7: WORKER RIGHTS a. Freedom of Association and the Right to Collective Bargaining b. Prohibition of Forced or Compulsory Labor c. Prohibition of Child Labor and Minimum Age for Employment d. Discrimination with Respect to Employment or Occupation e. Acceptable Conditions of Work INDEX