Chinese Human Rights Defenders Report Reveals Ongoing Persecution of Dissidents’ Families by Beijing
The annual report by Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD) sheds light on the ongoing persecution of the families of dissidents by Beijing. The report, focusing on the year 2023, reveals the punitive measures taken by Chinese authorities against human rights defenders’ families, including young children.
Observers have noted that China has a long history of targeting the families of human rights defenders, calling for global attention to this issue. The report details instances where Chinese authorities harm children, including newborns, as a means of silencing and punishing their parents.
Renee Xia, director of CHRD, expressed concern over the long-term psychological trauma inflicted on children who witness their parents being mistreated and persecuted. The report also highlights authorities’ denial of families’ access to detained or jailed rights defenders in attempts to coerce cooperation.
The report, titled ‘If I Disobey, My Family Will Suffer,’ covers the persecution of activists from various backgrounds, including the Han Chinese majority, Uyghur and Tibetan minorities, and pro-democracy activists from Hong Kong.
The CHRD’s report concludes with actionable recommendations, urging the Chinese government to cease all forms of harassment and extra-legal detention of human rights defenders’ families. China’s human rights record has faced significant criticism globally, with the Human Rights Measurement Initiative ranking it as having the worst human rights record in the world in various metrics.
Countries like the US and the UK, along with human rights organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have denounced China’s human rights abuses, particularly against vulnerable groups like Uyghur Muslims and Tibetans. The report serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing human rights violations in China and the need for international attention and action.
