A list of our most recent research reports and brief analyses, along with supporting documents. For other types of publications, such as manuals or self-help material, please refer to the 'Resources' section.
(brief analysis) RE-EDUCATION THROUGH LABOR: Legality and future
August 24, 2011: A brief analysis on the system of Re-education Through Labour (RTL) and failed attempts to reform it since it was, on a technicality, rendered illegal in both 1996 and the 2000's, and how the administrative penal system complements the criminal penal system in persecution . The report provides a guide to the myriad of legal issues related to the system, and the many different ordinances, regulations and orders that partly counteract each other.
Download: RE-EDUCATION THROUGH LABOR Legality and future.pdf
(brief analysis) AUTONOMY UNDER FIRE: Lawyers and Law firms in China
August 19, 2011: A brief analysis of the development of the system of 'rule by law' and how the increased persecution has affected lawyers and rights defenders since the release of the organization's major report on lawyers in late 2009. The report looks at the evolving legal framework, how the annual renewal of licenses is being used to persecute lawyers,and how the party is developing new mechanisms for control and suppression.
Download: AUTONOMY UNDER FIRE - Lawyers and Law firms in China (2011).pdf
DEATHS IN CUSTODY: The Police's free rein to abuse power in detention centers
January 19, 2011: A 34 page report on the lack of a clear and effective legal framework to properly manage China's 6000 detention centers, and how this has led to a string of most unusual deaths of detainees. The report focuses on the fact that Police are largely responsible for investigating their own crimes against detainees, and how the current laws fail to provide clear guidance for the Procuratorate to investigate crimes committed by detention center staff and police. The report presents information on 26 cases of unnatural deaths, in most cases obvious murders of detainees by Police. The report also looks at the calls made from both politicians, the media, and academia in how the system needs to be reformed to ensure that the rights of detainees are protected.
Download: DEATHS IN CUSTODY.pdf
Other documents: DEATHS IN CUSTODY Press Release.pdf | DEATHS IN CUSTODY Abstract.pdf (Chinese)
THOUGHT CRIMES: China's use of phyciatric institutions as detention centers
June 16, 2010: The report details the use and misuse of China's psychiatric institutions by public security officials, and how the lack of clear regulations concerning placing people in psychiatric custody leaves little space for redress concerning these abuses. It provides an in-depth legal analysis of the legal framework concerning these institutions, as well as on 'Ankang' centers, special custodial institutions where politically unwanted people can be locked up. 'Ankang' centers are part of the administrative penalties system, and little external oversight, from for example the Procuratorate, exist. Misuse of the 'Ankang' institutions, which exists in major cities across China, is widespread and no national regulation or law exist governing these centers.
Download: THOUGHT CRIMES.pdf
Other documents: THOUGHT CRIMES Press Release.pdf | THOUGHT CRIMES Abstract.pdf (Chinese)
PAPERING OVER THE CRACKS: Reform of the forced eviction regime in China
March 29, 2010: An extensive report on the current sitaution concerning forced evictions and demolitions, and how the proposed new law is falling short of providing remedies for what is one of the most widespread human rights violations in China today. The report also details how people are fighting back against unlawful land confiscation, and what role 'barefoot' lawyers play in this fight. Finally, the report uses case studies to highlightdifferent aspects of the problems related to forced evictions and demolitions.
Download: PAPERING OVER THE CRACKS.pdf
Other documents: PAPERING OVER THE CRACKS Press Release.pdf | PAPERING OVER THE CRACKS Abstract.pdf (Chinese)
NO END IN SIGHT: Sustained persecution of human rights defenders in China
January 25, 2010: A report detailing how the persecution of human rights defenders has continued unabated at the same high level as during 2008. The report highlights different methods of persecution employed by central and local governments, and how the application of such methods differs between different groups of activists. The report furthermore presents information on key cases of human rights defenders currently being persecuted for their peaceful expression and use of basic rights enshrined in Chinese law.
Download: NO END IN SIGHT.pdf
Other documents: NO END IN SIGHT Press Release.pdf
MANIPULATION AS INSULATION: The non-renewal of weiquan lawyers’ licenses in China
October 21, 2009: This report provides information on the situation for lawyers and law firms in China, with focus on the abuse of non-renewal of lawyers’ licenses. It further analyzes frightening new developments concerning the communist party and the state’s growing control of independent lawyers and law firms in China. It also provides an analysis of the hazardous situation lawyers in China face when taking on politically sensitive cases, and how the administrative authorities use the annual re-registration to effectively disbar any lawyers it feels provokes the status quo.
Download: MANIPULATION AS INSULATION.pdf
Other documents: MANIPULATION AS INSULATION Press Release.pdf