Activists Refute Chinese Regime’s Rebuttal of U.S. Human Rights Report

Last week, the U.S. State Department published its annual global human rights report. It accuses the Chinese regime of increasing pressure on activists and using illegal means to target dissidents. On Saturday, the regime’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei dismissed those claims, arguing the regime attaches importance to protecting human rights and is continually improving its democracy and law systems.

Shandong petitioner Sheng Qiaobin disagrees. When she tried to petition in Beijing last month, Shandong authorities detained her in a black jail.

[Sheng Qiaobin, Shandong Petitioner]:
“They use the most barbaric and thuggish way to kidnap me into a hotel. I was severely beaten and did not eat for 13 days. They stuck a feeding tube in me but did not give me any food. A 21-year old police stomped on my stomach six times, then once again later on.”

Another petitioner surnamed Lin was locked up for a month after complaining about corruption to his friend on the street.

[Lin, Chinese Petitioner]:
“We were chatting about how corrupt it is now, how the administration and judiciary systems are corrupt. Authorities don’t resolve any issues for petitioners. Then, all of a sudden some police came and arrested me.”

Activist Liu Anjun was recently released, and is pessimistic about the future of China’s rights activists.

[Liu Aujun, Chinese Rights Activist]:
“I feel that, at a certain time, they will not only sentence us, but it is entirely possible that they will pick up a butcher knife and slaughter us without hesitation, like what happened during the Cultural Revolution, because the government want to maintain power.”

Western governments and rights groups have expressed concern in recent weeks, after the Chinese regime intensified its crackdown on dissent.