Human Rights in China
Focus Areas
Chinese Human Rights Lawyers
Standing in solidarity with rights-defending lawyers in China who have had their licenses revoked, been arrested, or been subjected to enforced disappearance, including T'ang Chi-t'an, Liu Wei, Wang Yü, Yü Wen-sheng, and others.
The Li Ming-che Case
Taiwanese citizen Li Ming-che lost contact after traveling to China in March 2017 and was sentenced to 5 years in prison in November of that year. JRF has continued to monitor and advocate for him, and Li Ming-che returned to Taiwan upon completing his sentence in April 2022.
International Monitoring Mechanisms
Calling on the United Nations to establish an independent monitoring mechanism for human rights violations in China, and urging the international community to jointly respond to China's suppression of civil society.
Taiwanese in China
Tracking Taiwanese citizens subjected to enforced disappearance or arbitrary detention in China, including cases such as Fu Cha (Li Meng-chü), and paying close attention to the gap in the protection of personal freedom across the Taiwan Strait.
What is the "709 Crackdown"?
In the early morning hours of July 9, 2015, Chinese police initiated a massive wave of arrests targeting human rights lawyers and activists, known as the "709 Crackdown." Within a matter of weeks, over 300 lawyers, legal assistants, and human rights defenders across China were summoned, detained, or subjected to enforced disappearance, including prominent figures such as Wang Yü, Chiang T'ien-yung, and Chai Yen-min.
This was the largest political purge targeting the legal profession in modern Chinese history. Those detained not only faced criminal prosecution, but some were also long denied the right to meet with lawyers while subjected to "residential surveillance at a designated location," with their families' visitation and communication strictly restricted.
Taiwan's Role: Due to the unique historical connection between Taiwan and China, Taiwanese civil society bears a high degree of responsibility and concern for human rights issues in China. JRF believes that defending the right to counsel for Chinese lawyers is also a crucial effort to safeguard the quality of cross-strait judicial exchanges and prevent Taiwanese citizens from facing similar treatment in China.
Key Milestones
Featured Articles and Statements
Below are key articles and action records for this project. Click to read the full text (opens in a new window).
Support JRF and Keep Human Rights Advocacy Heard
The Judicial Reform Foundation is a non-profit organization that relies on public support for its long-term operations. Your donations allow us to continuously monitor Chinese human rights lawyers, stand in solidarity regarding the personal freedom of Taiwanese citizens in China, and promote international monitoring mechanisms.
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2017
Taiwan's First Chinese Political Prisoner
Lee Ching-yu, who was scheduled to attend a UN investigative hearing on September 12, suddenly received a call this…
2017
Two Years After the “709 Crackdown”: Call for the Release of Lee Ming-che and All 709 Detainees
On June 6, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling on China to release Liu Xiaobo and Lee Ming-che, and to…
2016
China Human Rights Lawyers Group: One-Year Anniversary of the Shattered Dream of the Rule of Law
Starting from the early morning of July 9 last year when Chinese police illegally detained Wang Yu's family, the…
2016
Radio Interview on the Kenya Deportation Case: Li Chia-wen / Professor, Department of Law, National Cheng Kung University
The Kenya case involves many complex issues. While people may focus on national sovereignty, whether we are shielding…
2016
China Human Rights Lawyers Group Selects Top 10 Human Rights Cases of 2015
The "709" crackdown on human rights lawyers and citizens, which shocked the world, began in the early hours of July 9,…
2015
Personal Chronicle: Human Rights Incidents Involving Chinese Lawyers in 2014
The following is a record of human rights incidents involving Chinese lawyers compiled by Attorney Ch'en Lei, spanning…
2015
China Human Rights Lawyers Group: Selection of the Top Ten Human Rights and Rule of Law Cases in China for 2014
The China Human Rights Lawyers Group selected the top ten human rights and rule of law cases of 2014, with commentary…
2014
Mainland China's Draft Amendment (Nine) to the Criminal Law Sparks Objections from Attorneys
Recently, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress in mainland China deliberated on the Draft Amendment…
2014
The Operating Space for Chinese Human Rights Lawyers is Being Further Constricted
I can genuinely feel that the days of human rights lawyers in China are becoming harder by the day, the pressure is…
2014
Before Throwing Stones at K'o Chen-t'ung
A hypothetical script: "The Chinese authorities want to discipline a film and television tycoon because he is too…
2014
Deadlock in the Central Plains
Among the nine individuals detained since their arrest in the Zhengzhou case—mostly rights lawyers, activists, and…
2014