Excerpted from The Jurist:
Human Rights in China (HRIC) said Monday that the state secrets system in China gives the government virtually complete power to halt the free flow of information, "undermining healthy governance and rule of law." The group released State Secrets: China's Legal Labyrinth, an extensive 280 page report that includes English translations of many laws the group says China uses to chill freedom of expression and freedom of the media. China's 1988 "Law on the Protection of State Secrets" allows the National State Secrets Bureau full power to declare anything a state secret.
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For more information on this issue:
- HRIC Report:
State Secrets: China's Legal Labyrinth - HRIC Press Release:
HRIC Report Details State Secrets System - China Rights Forum, No.2 2007:
Legal Reform and Accountability - HRIC Trends Bulletin:
Setback for the Rule of Law – Lawyers Under Attack in China - China Rights Forum, No.2 2005:
Law and Justice - China Rights Forum, No.2 2003:
Rule of Law