Excerpted from Austin American Statesman:
In March, hundreds of petitioners were rounded up before the opening of the National People's Congress, an annual meeting of China's top leaders. The wave of arrests appeared to be a trial run ahead of the Olympics, experts said.
Such actions "have made it clear that petitioners will be increasingly targeted in efforts to maintain order before and during the Olympics," said Sharon Hom, director of Human Rights in China, a New York-based advocacy group.
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For more information on this issue:
- HRIC Press Release:
Activist's Mother "Held Hostage" for Information - HRIC Press Release:
Petitioner Chen Xiaoming Dies under Belated Medical Parole - HRIC Press Release:
Anhui Business Owner Harassed for Defending Property Rights - HRIC Press Release:
Elderly Activist Ill in Prison, Denied Family Visits - HRIC Press Release:
Case Update: International Award for Petitioners Intercepted - HRIC Press Release:
Shanghai Petitioners Detained following Protests - HRIC Press Release:
Shanghai Petitioners Imprisoned - HRIC Press Release:
Three Shanghai Petitioners go to Trial, Others Abused in Detention - HRIC News Update:
Shanghai Update: House Arrest of Zheng Enchong, Mass Detention of Petitioners for Party Congress - HRIC Press Release:
Shanghai Petitioners Appeal to Central Discipline Inspection Committee over Renewed Crackdown - HRIC News Update:
Concern over Fate of Petitioner Chen Xiaoming, Missing for Three Months - HRIC Press Release:
Roundup of Shanghai Rights Activists on Eve of NPC Session - HRIC Press Advisory:
Shanghai Petitioner Fu Yuxia Detained - HRIC Press Advisory:
Shanghai Rounds Up Petitioners for Party Plenums - HRIC Trends Bulletin:
January 2006: China responds to increasing social unrest with greater repression
