Human Rights in China (organization)

Logo used by organization

Human Rights in China (simplified Chinese: 中国人权; traditional Chinese: 中國人權; pinyin: Zhōngguó Rénquán) is a New York–based international, non-governmental organization focused on human rights in China.^[1][2] It is a member organization of the International Federation for Human Rights.^[3] According to Fang Lizhi, HRIC is committed to an independent, non-political, and intelligent approach.^[4]

Founded in March 1989 by Chinese students and scholars, HRIC implements programs aimed at generating infrastructural change in China while also engaging in advocacy strategies on behalf of individuals living in China.^[2][5][6]

With offices in Hong Kong and New York City,^[7] HRIC serves as a source of analysis and information on the human rights situation in China, and advocates in the international arena. In 2005, HRIC was recognized by The Tech Museum of Innovation as one of twenty-five Tech Award Laureates for its use of technology.^[8]

HRIC's Executive Director is Zhou Fengsuo (2023–present). Its former executive directors are Sharon Hom (2002–2023) and Xiao Qiang (1991–2002).

Program

HRIC undertakes individual advocacy and systemic and policy interventions addressing human rights, technology, and legal and administrative reform issues. HRIC's core programs and reports address human rights violations affecting China's rural population,^[9] migrant workers,^[10] ethnic minorities,^[11] women,^[12] and children.^[13]

Domestic advocacy

HRIC's domestic work includes providing support for legal representation and assistance to activists in China.^[14] HRIC works with domestic Chinese groups^{[citation needed]} and calls upon the Chinese government to reassess the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre.^[15]

HRIC supports domestic groups such as the Tiananmen Mothers, connecting Chinese calls for redress to international debates such as lifting the European Union arms embargo on China. HRIC's online June 4 Archive^[16] documents the history of the 1989 Tiananmen democracy movement. HRIC also maintains Fill the Square,^[17] an online petition related to the Tiananmen Mothers' demands.^{[citation needed]}

International advocacy

HRIC contributes to multilateral and bilateral human rights policy discussions. HRIC provides briefings and reports to United Nations bodies, international conferences, WTO processes, and the EU-China Dialogue. As of 2006, HRIC submitted over 40 cases of alleged human rights abuses to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; 13 of these cases resulted in decisions, all of which deemed the detentions arbitrary.^[18]

HRIC addresses the relationship between corporate social responsibility, trade, and human rights through reports and presentations. HRIC has outlined a best practices matrix for IT companies doing business in China^[19] related to information communication technology (ICT), surveillance and security.

Online advocacy

HRIC's online advocacy project supports Chinese citizens' activism and promotes the free flow of information in China using proxy server technology and a biweekly e-newsletter.^{[20][citation needed]} The project includes six websites with online Chinese publications and advocacy resources.

Ongoing publications

China Rights Forum is HRIC's bilingual semiannual journal. Since 1990, it has covered China's human rights developments. Articles are available online.

China Human Rights Biweekly (中国人权双周刊) is a Chinese-language biweekly journal.

Daily News Brief is HRIC's daily news roundup.

Reports

HRIC publishes reports and briefings on various human rights issues.^[21]

Funding

HRIC is funded by private foundations and individuals. It has received support from groups including the National Endowment for Democracy, Open Society Institute, the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development, the European Human Rights Foundation, Human Rights Watch, and Asia Watch.^[22][23] In 2006, the New York University School of Law established the Robert L. Bernstein Fellowship in International Human Rights, which supports a fellowship with HRIC.^[24]

See also

• Human rights in the People's Republic of China
• Gao Wenqian

References

1. Pierre-Marie Dupuy, Luisa Vierucci, NGOs in International Law: Efficiency in Flexibility?, p. 83
2. HRIC: Mission and approach Archived 2012-03-07 at the Wayback Machine
3. LDH, Visite officielle de M. Hu Jintao en France : les droits humains doivent enfin être abordés !
4. Garry Rodan, op. cit., p. 212
5. Human Rights Watch: CHINA'S OLYMPIAN HUMAN RIGHTS CHALLENGE Archived 2011-07-21 at the Wayback Machine
6. Garry Rodan, Political Oppositions in Industrialising Asia, Asia Research Centre, p. 197.
7. US Asia Law Institute: Fellowship Opportunity for NYU Law Graduates: Robert L. Bernstein Fellowship in International Human Rights
8. Twenty Five Global Innovators Named as 2005 Tech Museum Awards Laureates Archived 2013-01-03 at the Wayback Machine, The Tech Museum
9. HRIC (April 14, 2005). "Implemention [sic] of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the PRC Executive Summary". Archived from the original on 14 June 2006.
10. HRIC: INSTITUTIONALIZED EXCLUSION: The tenuous legal status of internal migrants in China’s major cities Archived 2008-11-21 at the Wayback Machine A report by Human Rights in China November 6, 2002
11. HRIC: Xinjiang Report: Devastating Blows Religious Repression of Uighurs in Xinjiang Archived 2009-05-02 at the Wayback Machine
12. HRIC: Report on implementation of CEDAW in the People’s Republic of China, by Human Rights in China, Asia Monitor Resource Centre, China Labour Bulletin, Hong Kong Christian Industrial Committee
13. HRIC: Second Periodic Report of the People's Republic of China on Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
14. "HRIC: Defenders & Civil Society – Supporting Forces for Change". Human Rights in China. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
15. "June Fourth Overview". Human Rights in China. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
16. HRIC: June 4th Archive Archived 2014-02-01 at the Wayback Machine
17. HRIC: Fill the Square, petition "Support a call for truth and justice for the 1989 Tiananmen Square victims".
18. HRIC: "Take Action Archived 2009-07-29 at the Wayback Machine", China Rights Forum (2007, no. 1).
19. HRIC: IT Best Practices Matrix Archived 2012-07-12 at archive.today
20. HRIC: shuangzhoukan.hrichina.org (Chinese)
21. "HRIC Publications | Human Rights in China 中国人权 | HRIC". www.hrichina.org. Retrieved 2019-06-05.
22. Garry Rodan, op. cit., p. 202
23. NED: "Democracy Projects Database". The National Endowment for Democracy. Archived from the original on 2009-06-24.
24. Human Rights in China, Robert L. Bernstein Fellowship in International Human Rights. [1]

External links

• Human Rights in China (in English)
• 中国人权 (in Chinese)
• 中國人權 (in Chinese)
• HRIC Biweekly（中国人权双周刊） Archived 2010-05-01 at the Wayback Machine - HRIC's biweekly Chinese journal.(in Chinese)
• China Rights Forum - HRIC's semiannual bilingual journal.
• Human Rights in China's channel on YouTube