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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2020
Global Call: Establish an International Human Rights Monitoring Mechanism for China
We therefore support the UN experts' call for the Human Rights Council to hold a special session to evaluate the scope…
2020
We Have Not Forgotten Li Ming-che: Freedom of Speech Is Not a Crime — Press Conference on the Third Anniversary of Li Ming-che's Arrest
The Li Ming-che Rescue Team continues its efforts to rescue Li Ming-che and urges the public not to forget that our…
2019
Statement by the Lee Ming-che Rescue Team: Urging the Chinese Government to Allow Lee Ming-che to Return to Taiwan to Attend His Father's Funeral
At 3:50 this afternoon, Lee Ming-che's mother and wife, Li Ching-yu, boarded a flight to visit Lee Ming-che in China…
2019
Call on the 42nd Session of the Human Rights Council to Hold Accountable: The Chinese Government's Persecution of Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights Defenders
At the Human Rights Council, Chinese representatives frequently invoke achievements in economic, social, and cultural…
2018
One-Year Anniversary of Li Ming-che's Sentencing: Civil Society Gathers for Press Conference to Defend Taiwan's Freedom and Human Rights
Taiwanese citizen Li Ming-che was arbitrarily arrested and disappeared after entering China from Macau last March,…
2018
Arbitrary Prison Transfer of Li Ming-che: China Violates International Human Rights Minimum Standards Once Again
Today marks the 586th day since Li Ming-che was subjected to enforced disappearance by China, and he has been illegally…
2018
Global Joint Statement for the "Third Anniversary of the 709 Crackdown" and "China Human Rights Lawyers Day"
Over the past year, we have witnessed the Chinese government's continuous suppression of human rights lawyers and…
2018
One-Year Anniversary of Li Ming-che's Arrest: Rescue Team Ties Yellow Ribbons in Front of Presidential Office
March 19 marks the one-year anniversary of Li Ming-che's arrest. The Li Ming-che Rescue Team gathered in front of the…
2018
Li Ching-yu Denied Visitation - Statement by the Lee Ming-che Rescue Team
Li Ching-yu, wife of Lee Ming-che, received a notification yesterday (29th) from China's Chishan Prison stating that…
2017
Peaceful Speech Is Not a Crime! Release Li Ming-che Immediately! The Tsai Administration Must Issue a Strong Protest and Defend the Basic Rights of Our Citizens—Statement by the Taiwan-Support Rescuing Li Ming-che Team in Response to the Verdict in the Li Case
Taiwanese human rights worker Li Ming-che has been illegally detained by the Chinese government for 254 days since his…
2017
The Li Ming-che Case May Have Already Been Secretly Sentenced - Press Conference on the Sentencing in the Li Ming-che Case
Today marks the 197th day of Li Ming-che's enforced disappearance. With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, he remains…
2017
Statement by the Lee Ming-che Rescue Team: Chinese National Security Devises Another Smear Campaign, the Rescue Team Solemnly Clarifies
Following anonymous smear posts published on Weibo by Chinese national security units on September 15th (claiming Li…