Policy

Human Rights in China’s policy work advances domestic implementation of China’s international human rights obligations and builds international awareness of and support for key cases and issues. HRIC conducts in-depth research and regularly monitors China’s legal, political, and technological developments. HRIC is also active in international policy communities, particularly those addressing freedom of expression and privacy online, as well as business and human rights.

Policy Portfolios

International Human Rights

For more than two decades, HRIC has been tracking and participating in the United Nations’ processes that monitor China’s progress in implementing its international human rights obligations. Through informed and concrete recommendations, HRIC presses for measurable progress that addresses systemic human rights challenges. We advance this work by contributing to a wide range of UN treaty bodies, special mechanisms, and mandate holders, including those focused on: arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, torture, racial discrimination, women, children, and persons with disabilities. HRIC additionally monitored and contributed to China’s Universal Periodic Reviews in 2009 and 2013.

Our policy activities include: researching relevant human rights concerns and progress; analyzing challenges facing China in the implementation of its international obligations and highlighting opportunities; developing Chinese-language background materials and FAQs to facilitate and expand the participation of Chinese civil society actors in the process; and monitoring implementation of UN recommendations.

We also work to empower local voices within the international system by conducting trainings on how to engage with the UN and other international bodies, and by incorporating local input into our reports and recommendations.

International Standard Setting

In addition to UN advocacy, HRIC contributes to building norms, guidelines, and accountability frameworks that expand access to uncensored information and privacy online, and promotes greater attention to the human rights impacts of global business practices.

As a founding NGO member of the Global Network Initiative (GNI)—a multi-stakeholder group of companies, civil society organizations, investors, and academics—we have contributed to the development of guidelines and best practices to protect and promote freedom of expression and the right to privacy for companies in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector.

In addition to working directly with ICT companies through GNI, HRIC participates in broader policy debates on Internet governance, free expression online, and business and human rights issues in national, bi-lateral, and multi-lateral fora. Some examples of this work include: participating in the World Summit on the Information Society (2003 and 2005); monitoring and engaging with the World Conference on International Telecommunications (2013), and participating in the Stockholm Internet Forum organized by the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs (2013).

Chinese Law, Politics, and Technology

HRIC’s policy work relies and builds on regular monitoring and analysis of Chinese legal, political, and technological developments. Through expert and government briefings, public testimony, detailed research reports, and press work, HRIC provides international audiences with relevant information to understand and effectively engage with China.

Highlights of this work include: extensive reports on China’s state secrets framework and the human rights impacts of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization; a political-commentary YouTube series leading up to China’s 2012 leadership transition; testimony before European and US legislative bodies; briefings with UN experts on issues ranging from counterterrorism to the right to food; and press work on important citizen actions, legal cases, and legislative developments.